"You are a good dog, Buster. I'll never forget that when I had my bad accident and was told that I'd never walk again and was feeling sorry for myself; when I was at my lowest, you were there for me. And you've been there for me ever since. You seem to know what is best to do when my legs pain a lot. As well as licking me in sympathy, you remind me always to keep involved with life around me. You pick up the ball in your mouth and drop it in my lap. If I'm tired and just want to go to sleep, you just ignore me and nudge me in my groin with your wet nose. Even if I close my eyes and pretend to be asleep, I don't fool you. You nudge me on my thigh and you keep on poking me with your nose until I open my eyes and throw your ball to the other side of the room. That is my big mistake because you have now got me playing your game and we will only stop playing the game when you are fed up with it and want to do something else.
Still, I wouldn't have you any other way, Buster than your bubbly bouncy self. While we have each other to hold on to, Buster, we will never know loneliness or taste despair. We must seize the moment if we want happiness today, for the greatest of all pleasures ever experienced, life itself, beckons us now and not tomorrow. Now then, Buster, stop slavering all over my face; I know its tea time and you're wanting to get back home for your food, a walk and a big fat poo." William Forde : February 16th, 2018.