We have a terrific border collie called Buster who is now nearly four years old. Greg and I (sometimes the kids) would take it in turns to exercise him - and ourselves.
For a border collie though, Buster was sometimes lazy...yes, I know it sounds bizarre but he doesn't like to just run - there has to be some purpose to it. We never missed a day of getting out with him and now between the three of us, Buster still gets his daily dose. He is a lovable, loyal member of our family with a personality all his own.
Always alert to strangers, on the day that Greg died, he knew something was different - there had been a shift in our world - his included. His favourite place is where he can see us - on our back verandah near the kitchen door (which is a half french door) and he always barks at people (apart from us) who are in the kitchen.
On the day that Greg died, we were surrounded by friends and family...the house was continually filled with people.
Buster didn't bark once.
He set up a quiet vigil at the back door and didn't budge.
On the day of the funeral, he started escaping and would always head in the same direction.....Greg's last path.
It became a daily obsession - as soon as we left the house, Buster would be determined to escape and head off. Was he looking for Greg?
Several times people had called - they had spotted him, or held him for us. Whenever we went out, we had to lock him on the verandah or else he could dig furiously under the house, move bricks, rip wooden palings off the back of the house in his determination to tread that same path.
In the end, we had to lay paving to stop him digging his way out and he is now back to his usual placid self. Eager to walk, but only accompanied. Always, however on the alert for us - our friend and protector.
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