Buster was around 4 months old when he first came to me; I guess he’s nearing 6 months by now.

The bones on his rear legs are twisted in such a way that his kneecaps face outwards, thus he cannot flex his legs.

He has an odd way of scampering ar ound but seems to manage quite well with his deformity. I’ve never seen an animal elicit so many smiles and tears at the same time as sweet little Buster. I made Buster my usual promise, “I’ll do all that I can to help you,” I then kissed him and set the wheels in motion.

X-rays were taken and sent to the Upstate specialists, because this was not a job for any of our local vets. I made the appointment and brought him to see the specialists two days later. Everyone was intrigued with Buster’s case; it was something they’ve never seen.

“We’d like to take an MRI and send it to N.C. State for further evaluation,” I was told.
“If it will give Buster any chance at all, I’m all for it,” I replied.
“It’s kind of expensive, Lennie.”

“What else is new,” I said laughing, “just do what you can to help with my fees.”
The next day I received the bad news, the consensus was that all that could be done for Buster was very delicate and highly experimental. The suggestion to me was to “let him live out his life as is, he isn’t in any pain and we couldn’t guarantee a successful operation.”

As the vet tech handed him over to me I noticed the tear in her eye. “It’s alright, dear,” I said taking him, “I will get him a good home.”

“Please do Mr. Rizzo, he’s very special.”

It seemed that wherever Buster went he left a broken heart, his love of everything and everyone he came in contact with was infectious.
That evening I was pacing the floor thinking out loud, “what can I do next, who can I call?”

“Calm down, Lennie,” Elaine said, sitting at her computer laughing.  “This isn’t funny dear,” I retorted. “It’s not the animals Lennie, it’s you.”
“How so Elaine?” I replied, digging in for one of our friendly banters. Elaine stood up and began waving her arms, “Everyone on high alert, Lennie’s on a special case, one of his kids is in trouble.”

I began to reply as Elaine calmly looked at me smiling a smile of love, “Am I that bad dear?”

“People love you for it Lennie, but they don’t have to live with you.”  I walked over and gave her a great big hug, “thanks dear, I think I’ll go outside and talk to the Boss awhile, which I should have been doing in the first place.”

Buster was adopted this past Friday with the most loving and caring home you could imagine. Everything that can be done for him both now and in the future is being planned. I read an email a few days before which brought me to tears, it simply read, “We cannot wait to spoil him.”

Everyone at Landrum vet was overjoyed except little Spike, who was a bit jealous.
“Your turn will come little guy,” I said opening his cage to hold him.

I went outside to thank the Lord for answering my prayer.

“I’m only sorry I couldn’t find a way to make him whole Lord.”  Then the Lord spoke to me within my heart, “He is whole, Leonard, he was sent unfixable on purpose so that he’d be judged by his heart as I wish all my creations to be judged.”

I guess I’ll never really know the Lord’s plans; all I can do is try to accomplish all I can with as much fervor as I can. I guess the Lord chose me because of my dogged personality so I apologize if I’m a bit overzealous but then again, you don’t have to live with me.
Thanks for listening.