You are my sunshine

I have been a dog walker/ pet sitter for over 8 years, one of my first clients was a Bernese Mountain Dog, Buster.

I boarded Buster in my home off and on for 7 or so years. I am not a typical boarder, Buster slept in my bed, chilled on the couch, This dog was family, I brought him to holidays and to other boarding jobs, where on one job, Buster went crazy, jumping, barking at the front door. The owners of the home believe the landscapers, tried to break in,

Buster was protecting me.

He never left my side, his owners said that he has never behaved like this and believed the same and that his relationship with me was entirely different than he had with them.

We created this bond, where he was my best friend, when I met my husband, he wouldn’t allow him to touch me or sit next to me. He would wedge in between and if you know a Bernese, that’s not an easy task to wiggle in between, but Buster was making sure that he wasn’t coming near me without his approval.

Boy did he give him a hard time!

Buster’s family moved to Ohio, I did get to say my goodbyes in hopes it wasn’t forever - but hopes die fast.

I don’t remember when I got the call but I do remember where I was, isn’t that always how it goes?

Buster had died and I was devastated beyond words, I lost my best friend.

I’m aware I have multiple dogs and a husband, but he was my dog too and this was such a loss, my father cried, my family cried.

This hit hard, I still don’t think I am completely over this loss, but I try to believe that now my father is with him and my father truly adored Buster.

I felt so lost and was on petfinder when I came across “tootsie” she was this chunky 3 month old Catahoula mix that just looked like she had some sass.

When I drove the two plus hours to get her, it was love at first sight, she couldn’t get out of the car fast enough to meet me.

I loved her.

I named her Winter Bentley (the B for Buster) Tahlula (T for Tucker another dog client I had lost).

I call her Winnie for short. She was perfect, she sat in the front with me and gave me these pound puppy eyes. For the entire ride home, I sang to her, “You Are My Sunshine”, and I told her all about Buster.

Winnie is 4 years old now, and every time I sing to her, “You Are My Sunshine”, she gives me that Catahoula smile and squinty eyes and kisses because she knows that this is her song.

She is still sassy and I swear she gets it from Buster, if I am sad or scared she lies on top and wraps her paws around my shoulders as if she is giving me this big hug. She seems to always make sure that I am ok and protected (and she’s protecting me).

A lot of people may not believe that things are meant to be or sent for a reason, but I do believe Buster wanted me to find her and for her to help me heal.

I have lost a lot since then and am grateful for finding Winnie and my other dogs. Buster will always have a piece of my heart as will the others I have lost since but Winnie she is definitely my sunshine.