Buster died this morning at 1:00 a.m. after a brief illness. For the past 11 years he has been an integral part of our family. We miss him at every turn. It is the First Times that are the most difficult: the first time I dropped food on the floor - as I am wont to do - and he was not there in an instant to clean it up; the first time I woke up and he was not there to nuzzle me; the first time a squirrel ran by the window and he did not become Buster the Indignant; the first time we took one of his favourite walks and his paw prints were still encrusted on the snow covered meadow...

He has shadowed our every step; enjoyed our friends and social gatherings, loved the walks, the boat rides and country drives. He loved our home and our cottage. We are glad for the magnificent memories; but already over the past 2 weeks had come to miss his wagging tail and high energy and playfulness. Thank you Buster for being so loving.