A little over 18 months ago, I met one of the most extraordinary human beings I know, accompanying her was a most extraordinary canine, Bucky, Bucklava, Bucka (as a little girl is fond of calling her), Buck, Mama Dog, Grandma Dog, Buckatune (as I often call her), and Bucky Marie.
At seventeen and weighing upwards of seventy pounds, when I met her, she greeted me with wagging tail and held her own alongside the pit bull youngster beside her. I’ve been told over the years our animal companions often reflect our personalities and spirits, in this instance I can declare a definitive truth to this. Bucky Marie Banning was a formidable personality and most compassionate soul.
In a way, I can tell you, the first shimmering light of Rasta’s Rescue Ranch shown the day a twenty-two year old girl wrapped an eight week old pup into her fluffy white sweater and carried her home. I say girl, because at early twenty- something we have so much growing up yet to do. Bucky would grow up with C, help her grow—learn. As a pup, she taught responsibility and selflessness; they ask a lot of us when they are young, and when they are old. They teach patience and tolerance, always-invaluable lessons in life, but perhaps what they show teaches us most—our very best. They love us without condition and in this love we find ourselves—the best of ourselves, because we cannot let them down. When they look at us with those big adoring eyes, full of soul and love, and Bucky had them, we discover great temperament, true compassion, and extraordinary love in ourselves.
Bucky gave great love to my partner in Rasta’s. She gave companionship in the times of being alone and feeling defeated. Her smile gave assurance in times of doubt and uncertainty. Her proud and waging tail offered approval, and happiness, and hope always. She’d wink and give confidence, snuggle close and provide warmth. She would stare with genuine affection that said, “I know you and you are my everything.”
I have known many dogs, but Bucky and Cowboy were my first pit bulls, my first opportunity to understand a misunderstood breed and the mistakes humans have made with them, but more than that Buckatune found a huge place in my heart like the great companions that helped me grow up from childhood to adulthood. She wasn’t a dog’s dog, but a true devoted companion to her caretaker and friend. Having had Bucky share with me her smile, I can say I am grateful for having the chance to know her. And it makes writing this that much harder, because she was a very special presence. She’s the kind of companion writers tell stories about, the kind that win our hearts, and teach us how special it is to be human, to experience love and heartbreak.
A few best dogs have broken my heart, I loved them so much because they taught me so much about love, then time for them to go came.
Rasta’s Rescue Ranch lost a most formidable presence, a heart of gold, a genuine character of her own design, a stubborn ‘my way’ kind of girl, an intelligent giving giant in her own right. She winked at me just the day before, I know she understood everything I ever said to her and I know she hears me now—we love you, Bucky. God Bless and take care. Come back and walk with us down to the horses anytime. We’ll always hear your bark, the tapping of your feet, always see pictures of your memory in our minds, but most of all, always have a place in our hearts that is yours.
I love you and thank you for taking care of your human being. You’re an awesome girl! A beautiful girl!
Rasta’s Rescue Ranch, August 13, 2010
