He had a strange gait, some might even call it weird, his eyes hurt all the time and he was night blind; fate had it he was never going to be a stud, and his life ahead was a little sad, one in which he would, if left un-treated, end in total blindness. On May 13, 2004; Buster was just laying around in his kennel in the utility-room of that large garage in Illinois when he heard the rumors.
He heard about a fellow down in Texas who had lost his little pug that very morning. It seems this fellow's pug "Mocha" had passed away at the age of 12, leaving her old master's heart broken. So Buster, and the old man, both began to dream of a "Big Adventure"...
The Big Day For Travel
E-mails and phone calls flew first this way, and then that... volunteers came out, everyone started looking for ways to help. Something had to be done! Then a quiet and beautiful stranger came upon the scene, in a soft New England voice she said "My name is Bonnie, the story of your loss of little Mocha touched my heart. I have experience arranging transports for military pets and would like to assist you in setting up Buster's transportation, I would like to help and believe I can through mascot volunteers."
So the plan was laid... First was Eva to go to pickup Buster and transport him to O'Hare Field outside of Chicago, Tuesday morning May 18th...Then United Flight #1225 had a pesky little bundle of pug as it's guest on the two hour and twenty three minute flight to Dallas... Next came Lori who waited at the United Desk at DFW to whisk him away to his dream home complete with a waiting master to love him.
The Arrival
When Lori and her sister arrived in Fort Worth they were met out on the drive by an old man in a wheelchair, a jaunty cap set firmly over his sad old eyes. He had been waiting outside, nervously making confirmation phone calls, tracking Buster's every move, and now was the arrival moment! "Get that little fella out of that crate, oh look at that ugly little face, come on kiss daddy!" Who said there was no such thing as love at first sight? Well better take a look at that wagging tail and the smile on that old man's face.
Prolog
On Friday May 21, 2004 Buster went into Fort Worth Animal Medical Center, where Dr. Jennifer Parsley, DVM neutered him, x-rayed his hips examined his eyes and gave him a complete physical.
Buster Brown is home now; sans certain un-necessary parts; Dr. Parsley and I looked at his x-rays of his back legs and she pointed out the holes drilled in the tibia crests in both knees; his strange gait was due to the suture used to tie the joints after corrective surgery. At sometime in his past when he had surgery, the sutures were pulled too tight and froze the knee joints. There is no correction to this condition now available since too much time has passed. This previous normal surgery was in an effort to correct luxating patella's disease but went astray during the procedure.
She proscribed Neo/Poly/Dex Ophth Solution to put in his eyes for the next couple of weeks to try to clear up an un-treated eye infection which is the result of his un-treated Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Dry eye). This lack of treatment has already resulted in scaring and discoloration in both eyes, he is already night blind. He will require treatment for his eye condition all the days of his life. No excuse was given for failing to properly treat either the original KS or the resulting rampant infection in both eyes.
He is now micro-chipped with a Microchip ID and enrolled in the AKC National Home Again program, so should he stray, or be lost, any shelter or vet will be able to read the chip and AKC will insure his return.
Kids, I am very angry at all of you! You have been so grand and open hearted that you have made and old man cry and a little pug dog happy....... and if special people go to heaven then I know Bonnie, Eva, Lori, and all the people who made donations to "Military Mascots" will be there.
Without them Buster's Big Adventure would have never taken place. Bonnie coordinated the efforts, she gathered her friends, and her organization footed not only the bill for the trip from Illinois to Texas, but also the vet bill, at a cost of over $600.00 ... She must be some special lady. And my love and thanks goes out to all of you who participated in this true story, God put your hearts in the right place. This story is being created over and over for all the veterans worldwide, thanks to your support and donations to this wonderful organization. This old man suggests that a little extra by way of a generous donation is due these folks, and I highly recommend that all the readers of my Inspirational, Patriotic and Poetry pages click on the active link above, even angels need help...
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