This is where we come in, we were still mourning Freddy but after 9 months it was well past time to find a new baby. We got in contact with Dick and made the 3 hour drive to State College. We met 2 that we liked, Homer and Buster (we're not going to talk about Homer it haunts me to this day that he isn't here) while at the dog park with the other beagles Buster touched my heart he was so silly, he's half Basset so he has short legs. But when he picked up an enormous teddy bear and brought it over to the bench with the happiest look, I loved him... He didn't go home with us that day though (the reasons are unimportant) but by the time I went to bed that night I was sick. The next day by break I couldn't stand it anymore, I called my wife and told her I couldn't live with leaving him behind. 2 days later we were back in State college and we learned why no one would give this big goober a chance. He had heartworm, we didn't care though and home he came.

There were some real bumps the 1st few weeks, but something I didn't expect happened. Buster bonded with my wife, and I saw the light come back into her eyes. He made her so happy, and I didn't mind being #2. So we began his heartworm treatment, we went slow kill because I couldn't conceive crating him let alone for a month. The vet was skeptical, but we did our research and sold her on it. It took a year but we won! During that year we moved, and now he had a big yard to run in, and nice flat streets (not full of litter and crap) to go his walks, which he needed. He also got a little brother when our daughter moved in with here pup. His next challenge was his weight, he got to nearly 60 lbs while in heartworm treatment (remember he's half basset) and so we got to work on that. we got him down into the 40's but the bow his back was developing was all too reminiscent of Chuck.

A couple months ago he started peeing in the house, which was unusual, but he'd done it before. We thought it a behavioral condition. We also attributed it to age. My wife complained he wanted to go out all the time, we thought he was scamming for treats (he was imfamous for that). In early June I noticed he was struggling with the stairs at night, again we thought age (did I mention he was 9 when he came home and now was pushing 12?) and weight. He suddenly and rapidly declined though and suddenly couldn't hardly come in the house. He was also peeing in the house at an alarming rate. It was time to see the vet, we were convinced he hurt himself trying to grab food Sharon was putting on the table (he fell on his back) and she agreed this was likely. The x-rays were negative so she put him on anti-inflammatories, pain meds and rest. He improved but after going up and down the deck for a couple days he went backwards badly and couldn't even get into his dog bed. His return vet visit was up, and she feared he'd ruptured a disk. This was the 1st time the thought of his life being in jeopardy crept into our minds. We stamped that thought out fast, if it was surgery I was determined to do whatever I had to, to SELL whatever I had to. We tried a steroid and more rest, he responded well, but when weaned from the steroid he was even worse. By now we were resigned to cleaning up pee every time he got up, and washing his blanky and his bed FREQUENTLY. We did not mind this.

We made an appointment with a specialist in Audubon, for an exam and an MRI (if she deemed necessary) and took the hour drive down... Because of this Covid madness, we could not come in or even wait there (we could have sat in the parking lot in 95 degree heat for 7 hours) so we went home and stared aimlessly about trying to be positive. When they called 5 hours later we could not have been prepared for the news. His spine was fine, but the vet sounded so sad we knew it was bad news. Buster had cancer.

It was in his lymph nodes and spreading rapidly, it was in his spleen... the devastating news was it was his prostate where it started, it was huge and not allowing his kidneys to drain properly. The pieces fell into place, the peeing everything. My first question was can it be removed (I was already selling my power tools, my guns and all my fishing stuff in my mind) and was told it was inoperable. I don't know why a dogs prostate can't be removed but it can't. The following afternoon we called our vet (again to not be able to talk face to face made this even worse) and she gave us some options, but was honest. Removing his spleen and chemo had little chance of doing more than making Buster suffer, so me made his last appointment, soonest we could get (thank you again covid) was a week out (today if you must know).

This afternoon under a warm sun on his favorite blanky, Buster left this world in the arms of his mommy and daddy. The last sound he heard was his mommy's voice in his ear. We rejoice for him being out of pain, free of the cancer I should have seen, and, well I imagine he got his tail back. We, however, are shattered. On Memorial Day Buster was stealing the beanbags from the cornhole game, charging up the deck steps to come in for a treat and the happiest silly dork of a dog I've ever known. Now 6 weeks later he's been taken from us.

After all he's been through he deserved so much more so much better. To have suffered all he did and still be the friendliest silly billy love everyone and everything dog he was. So much love he had left to give.
Sharon spent the last month of his life sleeping on the couch so he wouldn't try to come upstairs. I'd have taken my turn but he's a mommy's boy, where she goes he follows. I myself hardly slept the last month without the 2 of them. Last night I slept on the floor on top of folded up comforters with him. I woke at 3 AM with him snuggled to my shins and a wet spot next to me where he'd peed the bed. I didn't mind you know, the last week has been Buster's rules, he could have anything he wanted, go where he pleased and nothing was "bad".

Goodbye Buster Brown, aka Mr. Butts, Gooby Doobie Doo, Butthead, puppy poo and Busty... We've loved all our babies with all our hearts, but he will always stand out. We had only 2 years, 10 months with him, yet he gave us a lifetime of love and we will never be the same. With all the others we knew it was coming, they lived long full lives. Buster was stolen from us by the bastard known as cancer. He's with Chuck and Freddy now and we'll someday find them along with Lucky, Stevie, Lulu and Bonesy. And we'll be a family again. We love you

8/4/20
hi Butts... we brought you home last Thursday and put you in the secretary with everyone else. I wanted to visit sooner, but it's been tough. I'm not as strong as I used to be. Mommy can't get used to not tripping over you in the kitchen... Rhys tries but he doesn't have your talent for being directly behind the feet when someone turns around. One of your many... gifts. we miss you more than words can tell. Mommy still cries when no one is looking... and so do I. Bones came to visit Mommy the other night, it made her happy and sad. You know, the day after you left I saw you in the door when i took Rhys out, i wanted you to know that i saw you there. you visit any time you want, i may cry but to see your sweet face is worth the tears. I'll visit soon I love you

9/1/20
hi Busty... it's a sad day today, it's Bones' anniversary. I hope you met him he's a nice cat, watch out for Lucky though. How are Fred and Chuck? They're like you lol they like a good sniff and that's enough. take care of each other till we come for you we love you all and we miss you soo much. it wasn't fair buddy you deserved so much more. even with Rhys and the cats the house is somehow empty. we love you Buster Brown

6/21/21
hey Butts... it's been too long since I stopped to see you. Doesn't mean we don't think of you, we miss you every day. Every time I look at a picture my heart breaks again because you should still be here. Mommy still cries for you, a lot. I'm going to assume Garfield found you all ok, he missed you something terrible and the irony that we lost him far too soon from the same horrible disease. It's nearly been a year but I still get of the couch carefully to avoid stepping on you. We know you're still here with us we feel you every day. I hope Mollie meets your approval she's a lot like you... ok we know you sent her to us. Give my love to all your brothers and sisters, and don't let the fat cat push you around :) I love you Gooby Dooby Doo

7/16/21
a year gone by, so much has changed here. one thing that hasn't is how much we miss you, mommy still cries for you, and so do I. Look at me bawling right now. It's so unfair you had so many years to be happy to hang out and play with Rhys. If you sent Mollie to us thank you, she came from the same people that saved you. She's a total daddy's girl, and like you she LOVES FOOD. I miss you so much Busty. I love you

12/26/21
it's Freddy's 5 year anniversary today Butts... so stay with him if you can, I don't know how I missed you last fall I'm sorry buddy. You know I'm having a tough time but that's no excuse. I just want out at this point, I want to be with you guys again. Maybe that would be best for everyone. I miss all of you so much mommy misses you every day. we love you Buster brown

4/22/28
hey Butts... obviously I'm still here, doing my best but it's so hard. Most days I just don't want to but I keep going because I think if I leave here early they won't let me see you guys. Mommy still cries for you, Mollie is a good girl and she loves her but you'll always be her baby boy. I'll tell Rhys you're well I know you miss him too. He misses his Unkie Buster. I love you buddy

7/16/22
it's been 2 years, you should be sprawled out under the table at mommy's feet. it's so damned unfair you'd only be 13. things have gotten better here, I'm doing better too. we miss you guys so much. pass along our love to everyone. we love you butthead.

11/21/22
hey butts, I guess you know by now. Mollie, just like you was taken from us way to soon and way to suddenly. we hurt so much I can't even do her page here. BE NICE TO HER no being a butthead ok? we love you and we miss you. I'll see you soon

7/16/24
Been too long since I checked in butts, I don't do as good as I used to. But don't think we forgot you, we talk about you often, and Mommy still hurts... we both do. I hope you found Mollie and that you're all looking after her. We got a new guy since I last came here, his name is Eli and he's mostly blind, but he's such a good boy. He's a lot younger than you and Mollie were. Rhys is his buddy and even Melissa loves him. Things are a bit better I'm doing better but still have a long way to go. We miss all of you so much. Keep an ear out for us we'll be there before you know it. We love you Buster brown.

Please also visit bones.