Editor’s Note: This story was edited on Feb. 5. 2014. Names were removed for privacy reasons.
EDMONTON – An Edmonton man and his family are looking for a good home for their aging German Shepherd cross. Buster’s failing health has become too much for the man and his wife, as they raise their two young sons and manage busy careers.
“Buster is a real people dog. He just loves people,” the owner explained. “He’s a really smart dog.”
The family adopted Buster from the SPCA about 12 years ago, when he was just a pup. Buster was a stray and his owner says he quickly became his best friend, helping him through a tough time in his life.
“He just looked up at me with those big brown eyes and he was like ‘take me home,'” he recalled fondly. “I actually got him when I was going through a separation and divorce. So he’s really been there for me.”
But Buster’s health has deteriorated over the past couple of years. He has a condition called cauda equina syndrome, which is caused by the compression of the nerve roots in the lower back.
“That affects his ability to control his back legs,” his master explained. “Now he’s basically completely paralyzed in the back end.”
Buster is now in a doggy wheelchair. He also wears diapers, as his condition has caused incontinence and he sometimes has accidents.
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“I have to take him out more frequently. He can’t hold things as long…He has this look on his face that he knows he’s done wrong. But he can’t control it.”
While it’s an incredibly tough decision, Buster’s owner feels his best option is to find a loving family who can properly care for his best friend.
“It’s really tough because he’s still so alert, he’s still got so much to give. But it’s just kind of hard with the kids and it’s a little messy and it’s just become too much work.”
“He’s so nice… he’s friendly,” said the family’s four-year-old son. “He’s a good dog and we don’t want to give him away.”
“He’s a good dog,” added the family’s six-year-old son. “He’s nice.”
The family hopes Buster’s new owner will let them visit.
With files from Laurel Gregory, Global News.
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