***EDIT***

First of all, I just want to say I am so grateful for each and everyone of you guys. I have gotten SO many messages and well wishes and prayers for Buster during the whole duration of his sickness and the mascot contest. It is just so strangely ironic and bittersweet that he got sick right as mascot was starting and it ended today, as mascot comes to a close. Here's what happened just in the past few days:

Thursday Buster started slobbering and regurgitating much worse than he has been (it has been his ongoing issue since Feb.). It was so bad it was coming out of his nose and it sounded like he was drowning in his slobber. I bring him to work and we take an x-ray and his esophagus is MASSIVE and we discover he also cannot blink. We suspected it was Myasthenia Gravis which is an immune-mediated condition in which the communication between nerves and muscles malfunctions. Basically the muscles around his esophagus cannot close so food cannot be pushed down into his stomach. Typically that is how it starts then it moves to other muscles. Long story short we had a rough weekend with upright feedings then this morning he collapsed and was having muscle weakness in the hind end. A few hours after being at work with me he began struggling to breathe so I drove him to the vet school where they have an ER and a neurologist on standby, but by the time we got there he just needed stabilization as he was white as a ghost and only taking small, shallow breaths. They suspect he was septic from aspiration pneumonia and a weakened immune system from the cancer/possible immune suppression, he was suffering, and the quote was over 6k just to *try* and treat the pneumonia (not even to start with the possible cancer regrowth and/or myasthenia gravis). So with all that info I put him back in my truck, drove him back to my clinic, and we euthanized him surrounded by his huge vet med family that all loves him so dearly and would have all done anything to work together to save him. At 3:15pm on Monday April 22nd (the day before his birthday), my sweet Buster man breathed his last breath. One of his final acts was lifting his head to give mom just one more slobbery kiss on the face. He went very quickly and peacefully, and I am just glad that he is no longer suffering and struggling to breathe, he is running free with my dad getting all the loves and treats from his grandpa 

Hug your babies tight tonight, you never know when it may be the last. I knew Buster didn't have too much longer, but I thought I had more time than I did. Thank you all so much for your love and support, and all of the prayers and well wishes that were sent our way. Buster was the best dog a girl could ask for, and will be deeply deeply missed by so many. I'm so grateful I was able to show you guys a glimpse into his life through this years mascot contest, and I'm so grateful that mascot Buster got as far as he did. His lines are already very important to me, but now they will be that much more sentimental. I'll be drawing for the 6mo upgrade tomorrow, and will update this thread with the winner. I had planned on doing quite a bit more activities than I got to, but as y'all know my life has been quite insane over the last few months. Thank y'all for bearing with me and being so supportive and uplifting through it all. I'm so grateful for my HP fam.

RIP Buster 4.23.14-4.22.24

-arzu

Bump 

I'm so sorry! Sending you all the hugs. 

Please let me know if I can do anything to help you out!

oh no I am so sorry praying for buster and keeping you guys in my thoughts. im so sorry he is going through this :( xoxo

This is such a difficult thing to go through, and I'll be thinking of you and Buster. I'm so sorry. 

So very sorry to hear this, I'll be thinking of him and so hope that he pulls through for you and you get a few more months of fun and love together. I know how difficult the ultimate decision is to make as well, and if you have to make it then we'll all be here for you.

I know HP matters will be the last thing on your mind at the moment, but if I can help at all with anything - requesting/entering shows, tickets, and so on - please just let me know. xxx

We are all here for you!

I can only imagine how you are feeling and dealing with everything right now. No matter the decision it will be the correct one for Buster. You know him and love him more then anything. You will know what is best. Stay strong and know you have our prayers and support.

Sending love and prayers your way for that sweet boy. 💙

A big hug your way! I'm so sorry to hear this! Much love to you two! < 3

Sending prayers to you and Buster! ♥

Edited** please read for update - thank you guys for all of your prayers and good wishes. I'm so grateful for each and everyone of you.

I am so sorry you had to go through all of this! I'm sure you gave him the best life. Something that I read when I lost my girl Bonnie last year was that Steve Irwin takes care of all the animals that cross the rainbow bridge until their owners come for them and something about that was really comforting. 

Ahh bless him, that must have been so difficult for you both to go through. It's so hard to see them in pain and struggling, but he had an amazing life and bond with you and was loved right up until the end - and will continue to be loved well past it.

Thank you Arzu for sharing your boy with us 💕

oh my god I am so sorry, this makes my heart hurt. no loss has hit me as hard as my soul dog, Dodger. I know how you feel, it is the absolute worst feeling. Im so sorry, I dont know what more to say because words cant bring him back or make you feel better, but we are all here for you. xo 

I am so sorry for your loss. Letting a pet go is one of the hardest things to do. I had to do it twice--once for my dog Sable and once last year for my cat Sherbert.

Lots of hugs and hopefully you will see him again at the Rainbow Bridge.

I am so sorry for the loss of your Buster! I know how painful it is, I lost my Mom about 6 months after my bestest boy and it actually helped me a bit through the grieving knowing that he was up there waiting for her with tail wags and kisses. Sending all my love and thoughts to you in this incredibly difficult time! ❤

I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. 💔 Loads of hugs and prayers to you during this difficult time.

oh arzu I am so sorry to see that Buster has passed. He was clearly such a well loved boy, and was lucky to have you as his human. I felt the same pain when I lost Marley in 2022, so I'm sending so much love and loads of hugs to you. 💔

Your HP family loves you.

I'm so sorry to hear that he's passed. Sending lots of love and positive thoughts to you. ♥

so sorry for your loss! I lost my pittie back in 2015 and losing a dog is one of the hardest things, especially after you've had them for so long. Mine was my absolute heart dog, so I get it. If you ever need to talk or just hang out, hit me up. I'm always down to chat!