21 Comments
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Betsy Buchalter Adler's avatar

Clio the Collie sends a friendly wag in your direction, as would the late great Ollie the Collie if he were still around to police the RecTrail against the evil skateboards. Now I have to read your essay all over again because I like it so much.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Now I scream at the skateboarders ... because *somebody's* got to do it.

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Michael Skoien's avatar

Not sure I got the pleasure to meet Buster when we last shared a place on the earth together. But it was special to get to know him through your pictures and stories. This piece is a tribute to Buster and reading it also gives me a bit more perspective on the life of my recently deceased Father who for 95 years brought joy and happiness to virtually everyone he met. Although he too did scream at a couple of postal customers he told me. Or as he put it, "I apologized to one of them, but the other one deserved it." Pretty impressive for 40 years of service in the US Postal Service. Thanks for this Joe; Mary and I long for the time when you and Loma grace our presence again.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Thanks, Mike. Hope to see you again soon.

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Jean Vengua's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to a great dog! Buster shared something in common with my hybrid pitbull, Gracie (R.I.P.), who pretty much hated all dogs (but would gladly welcome any human thief into the house). These furry angels enrich our lives.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Thank you, Jean. I don't know about Gracie, but Buster was a top-rate doofus.

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Nancy Soulé's avatar

How nice of you to share this with us, Joe! Buster was a wonderful dog, and today must be especially hard. Hugs to you and Loma.

Nancy Soule'

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Thank you, Nancy. Buster was the perfect neighborhood watch dog. Sounding the alarm without coming off as a jerk.

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Holly Pease's avatar

1 vote for cutest dog ever

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Jules aka Julie's avatar

LOVED this. As a more recent (and total) convert to being a dog person, everything you said resonates. A lovely, soulful tribute to the cutest dog in the world.

Although I swear Atlas the chocolate Lab is the handsomest. Definitely the goofiest.

Someday I must sing you my hit ukulele song, "I Wanna Marry My Dog."

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Labs do tend toward goofy, IMO. Thanks. Bring Atlas with you for the uke serenade!

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Jules aka Julie's avatar

This is Julie btw.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

(Atlas gave it away)

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Jules aka Julie's avatar

LOL oh yeah

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Leslie Patino's avatar

While I won't dispute that Buster was the most handsome dog, personally, I think my Dolly is the most beautiful. I do have to admit, your fantastic tribute--and that photo at the end!--left me teary-eyed. I miss those mornings when you two went up the hill instead of down. I'd be in the kitchen or eating breakfast and look out the window to see you both hoofing it back down the hill when I was barely starting my day.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Thanks. And, yes, Dolly is beautiful! The most beautiful, in fact.

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Steve Retsky's avatar

This is one of the most beautiful things I've seen written in a long time. Expressing all the feels gives those of us who share the feels verklempt nostalgia. Thanks. Here's to Buster (and Phryssquie [say it out loud] and all the other canine heroes in our lives🤎

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Thanks, Steve. Give Phryssquie a hug for me.

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Virginia Hennessey's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to Buster, Joe. I dread the day when Ed loses our little Yorkie, Pepper. She's pretty cute and cool, though as far as I know she does not know how to scream, so Buster was obviously superior. Is screaming different than barking? What the heck does that sound like anyway? I hope wherever Buster is hanging out these days he's steering clear of our late former colleague Andy Rose. I recall that Andy was not fond of Buster's breed and called them "Bitchen Frizzes." Of course he never met Buster, so what did he know? Sending you and Loma big hugs.

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Joe Livernois's avatar

Dog Bark = Human Scream

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Virginia Hennessey's avatar

Weird

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