05/17/2016
{[ BUSTER MOVE ]} This story is a little longer because it is not your traditional rags-to-riches story. It became a tale about NOT giving up, not failing this pup as he had been originally failed, and it took a few YEARS to share this happy ending.
So, three years back when a few of us were still working as Mutt Scouts, we happened upon this sad pup laying in a corner of the shelter floor in the Baldwin County facility. He had been dumped there. He was in tragic shape as you can see. Horrific case of neglect: out of control mange, cracked and bleeding and in such pain, this little Boston mix's eyes were full of pus and one was actually glued shut. Once with us, we named him Buster, and we placed him on the long road to healing his physical self. What emerged after MONTHS of treatment was an adorable kid with new energy, and a zest for life. Once healthy, it did not take long to get Adoptive interest, and there came along a good guy, looking for a pal and BOOM Buster was packing his bags to be with his new pops. It went well in the beginning, and then the union hit some rough spots as Buster had exhibited some difficult behavior. He bit his dad. Out of no where, and not provoked, that he knew of. Though it seemed to be sensitivity to touch near his neck. Such a happy and charming pup most of the time. So where was this coming from? Not sure if it was residual from being in such a sickly state for so long, or an behavioral issue formed with his previous humans that threw him away in the shelter in such devastating shape, but it was enough that Buster's adopter was heartbroken, and returned him to us months after adopting. Everyone was sad. Past the sadness we needed a plan. We had to set Buster up to succeed. So we made a move.
Buster went into training with Melanie Sanders on her ranch: Power Dogs Training. And we formed The REAL Bark here at home, and continued our work with Buster. Melanie and her associate Don lived with, and worked with Buster to better determine exactly who he was and what his triggers were, and exactly how much behavioral modification was possible. Buster LOVES other dogs and made new pals as he assimilated to his new environment. Melanie and Don grew quite fond of Buster, who in turn grew markedly better, as they exercised and studied this little dude. In fact, Melanie was writing a totally new handbook on who Buster was. After MONTHS of schooling Melanie felt she knew Buster was 97% a happy kid, with scattered moments of PTSD poor decision making, BUT she knew those how to find those moments, and avoid a bad outcome. Essentially Melanie was 'in front' of his behavior, and with THAT knowledge she shared how best to set Buster up for success.
Here on the home-front we would receive many hits of interest from folks looking to adopt, because little man is Handsome. With each we would share in full candor his story, and why he may or may not be a fit for them. If the people lasted past the truth, we would open a conversation between Melanie and the potential. One such applicant wrote, and we responded with transparency...and then he wrote back that he was not turned away by the truth, and he wished to meet Buster. In fact, not only did he meet him up at Melanie's and fall deep for the charming pup, but Kyle and his brother Keith, both went up and were trained by Melanie with Buster's newly written training methods. It was decided that Kyle would move Buster to his home as a Foster for a few weeks to help him acclimated away from Melanie, and start incorporating what he learned.
Team members JP and Aaron had both been to the ranch on visits, as both have always been giant Buster Fans and Advocates, and so Aaron took the lead with Kyle and joined in to transition this pup - who had an army of support behind him - onto a new path in the best direction ever....one leading to HOME.
Kyle: Thank You and Congrats on your thoughtful Adoption. We SO appreciate your approach and perspective and for being the type of person that does not walk away when something is not perfect. Truth told: none of us is, and big props to You and your brother for seeing that, and for loving this pup, who has been through so much. We were thrilled by the confirmation that Buster was HOME. Lucky little dude to have you stellar humans, both in his life.
Melanie this was all made possible by your tenacious and generous spirit, as well as your big skill working with pups with issues. Both you and Don would not give up until Buster's new people were found. Additionally, as we are non-profit Rescue and always scrambling to come up for money for surgeries, therapies, and daily care, that you donated so much of your time for free, is both beyond Appreciated and an EPIC move that speaks so highly of your heart. THANK YOU, kindly for your Insight, and Education, and DEDICATION to making things right for Buster.
Buster. Little man. Talk about not giving up. All these roads traveled to getting you Healthy, Happy, and HOME. From a rough beginning and a tragic former life, all the way to TODAY with your very own Team: Congrats on your new peeps who know you better than anyone has before, and cherish you just the way you are. Enjoy your life, kiddo. You have earned each Wag, each Smile, each moment knowing you are Wanted, Accepted, Protected, and LOVED.
THANKS ALL for reading Buster's long-time-coming Update.
Never Give Up Hope.
Never.
*Buster's HAPPY Adoption pic by Aaron Short.
Want to Help? Please LIKE Melanie's training page...and feel free to leave a comment here to Congratulate Kyle, Keith & of course BUSTER.
