This story comes from the heart. Two and one-half years ago our family decided to adopt a puppy. We researched and found that a Golden Retriever would be the best dog for our family.
     I located a breeder and went to meet them, and a beautiful 4 week old Golden came running right up to us. We were not there to pick one out, he picked us out and we were truly blessed.
     I noticed that he was breathing a little heavy. We had him checked out by the doctor and said he had a slight heart murmur, but that was normal in small puppies.
     We had his normal check ups and shots, and at six months old we were told his heart murmur had worsened. We had an echo gram done and it showed he had a very narrow valve to the heart, that there was nothing they could do for him because of it being so narrow they couldn't perform surgery. He could die at any time, especially if he were to be running.
     Buster was the best friend our family had, he was my son, and my daughter's brother. He was the most loving dog I had ever seen. He would greet us every morning in the kitchen and would play with the girls before they had to go to school. He would always put his head on your lap if you were sitting down. He gave us so much love. We miss him so much.
     He made it to two and one-half years with us. Not nearly long enough for us. His last day, we did our usual schedule, in the morning he went outside and ran around the back yard. He was playing in the snow like a little puppy. He came in and was on his way to greet us and he collapsed and died. We will never forget that moment. No one can prepare you for that moment when someone you love dies. He died December 5, 2002 at 8:00 am. We know he is in heaven and happy but he has touched our lives in a way we can never explain.
     We miss you so much Buster, we can never replace you. We know we will meet again someday. Until then we love you and hope you are happy. Think of us often because we think of you constantly. He was truly a little angel puppy sent to us from above.