WHO I AM

The humans call me Buster. I am not sure why.

If I had chosen my own name, it would probably have been something more ferocious.
Something with teeth in it. Something that meant wolf, or storm, or king of the yard.

But Buster is what they use when they want me. And I always come.
So I suppose it is my name.

I am black and white and brown, which means I belong to no single idea of myself. Humans like things to be one thing. I have always been many.

They say I am a Jack Russell, fox terrier cross.
I don’t know what that means.
I know what chicken means.

I am seventeen and a half years old, which is very old in dog years and still not enough in human ones. My body moves slower now, but my nose does not.

I was adopted outside a place where humans go when they don’t want to cook. It smelled like salt and heat and wanting. I don’t remember choosing her, I remember that she was there, and she made me feel warm and safe. That has always been enough.

The humans gave me a French name once. It was Bastard.
They thought this was funny.
I thought this was accurate.

I have two brothers and a sister. I have had cats. Some were friends. Some were enemies. Patrick tried to kill me. I did not love Patrick. When Patrick disappeared, I did not ask where he went. I shudder when I hear his name.

Rory was different. Rory was soft. Rory was warm. Rory was always there. Rory was great fun to chase. When Rory disappeared, the house learned a new quiet. I still check her places.

I lived on a boat once. Humans thought this was an adventure. I thought it was a test. I am afraid of water. Some days I forgot this and ran down the pier as if it were solid. It was not. I fell in. My people lifted me out. I forgave the water. I did not befriend it. This may have happened more than once.

I love chicken. I do not return the ball. I do not understand why anyone would.

I am not afraid of big dogs. I am afraid of bicycles and men in hats. This is not negotiable.

I lick faces whenever possible. This is also not negotiable.

I do not understand the lead. I understand walking together.

I am here to notice.
I am here to wait.
I am here to stay.

And humans, from where I am sitting, are very strange.