23/03/2022
By Scott Harmer BDR supporter in Ukraine. Please take a moment to read this amazing story.
It has been quite a few years since I posted here about our bulldog, Buster. But itβs time to let everyone know about his spirit, resilience, and his truly unbelievable character.
Buster is just over five years old, and his start in life was filled with the torment of acute allergies β this group helped tremendously on that journey β but after trial, error and time we got all of that under control and he has been living his full life.
But a little less than a month ago all that changed and dramatically so.
We lived in Kyiv, Ukraine. And the day war arrived, we walked, as usual, by the canal, over the bridge and up the footpath to home. Our usual 2-kilometre pre-second breakfast walk. When we arrived home, we woke mommy to tell her war had started. He had second breakfast and destroyed the last milk bottle in comfort.
Two days later his epic 5-day, 2,500 km road trip started. We crossed Ukraine passing uncountable road-blocks of armed soldiers, listening to air-raid sirens and hearing bombs and rockets whistle and fall. We stayed at numerous places for just the night. And finally we crossed the boarder to Romania. He had a few days of relaxation out of the car and with regular food, water, walks and toileting, then back in the car to cross the Carpathianβs on our way to Bucharest β another 600km and dayβs drive.
Finally, in Bucharest we stayed at a hotel for a little over two weeks. A small room where he happily slept between his parents and stole the duvet nightly, his favorite food and routine returned for a time. He was ok. He had done it. Such a journey didnβt take him.
The day arrived. We had to fly to Israel. His travel box was filled with his favorite blanket and loved teddies. He had learnt to get comfy and relax in this box. It was fully secured and wouldnβt break under his podge. At the airport, they took him from us 2 hours before the flight. The flight was delayed almost 3 hours. It was a 2 and a half hour flight. In Israel, because we were refugees it took another few hours. All in all he was in his box for nearly 11 hours without us, food, water or toileting. We frantically ran to his box in the luggage area. They had sealed the door tightly, so I simply tore off the door to get him out.
Busterβs crazy wiggle dance, his smile, his stupidity exploded out of that box. He was fine. He had simply slept the whole way. We gave him water and food which he wolfed down β as usual. We took him out to do his business on the beautiful grass. We exited the airport, weβre greeted by family and went home (new one again).
Bulldogs are amazing. They will surprise you beyond belief. Buster is a Ukrainian version because he can walk when itβs minus 20. He can walk when itβs plus 30. He can go on a 2,500 km road trip that lasts nearly 5 days. He can fly, even when the plane is delayed. And above all, he can make anywhere his home. As long as he has his favorite blanket, loved teddies, favourite food and empty milk bottle.
Bulldogs are amazing!