Schuckman: Tale of Buster and his backyard nemesis is reminder to stay forever young
QUINCY — The porch door casually swung open, the way it does five or six times per day or as many times as Buster gets the inkling to go outside.
Only this time, our 12-year-old cheagle didn’t follow the swinging of the door by bounding down the three steps leading to the sidewalk.
He froze.
About 20 feet from the bottom of the steps, nestled into the grass just beyond the bench that sits in the middle of the backyard, a rabbit lurked. It was one of three rabbits sharing a nest beneath the golden spirea and the one that constantly foils Buster.
I knew in a blink Buster would break from his pose and dash headlong toward the rabbit, going only as far as his leash would allow. Was it enough to get close to snatching that rabbit? Sure. Was the rabbit going to give Buster such an opportunity? No way.
The rabbit hopped about 10 or 15 feet to the west, out of Buster’s reach but close enough to continue to torment him.
Realizing this, Buster went about his business, sniffing his way back and forth to different parts of the yard. He stopped occasionally to take a look at the rabbit, but decided chasing the elusive bunny was a waste of time.
A few minutes passed before Buster’s instincts kicked back in and he darted toward the rabbit once again. Quick to react, the rabbit itself darted away and disappeared beneath the golden spirea. Moments later, he reappeared — always out of Buster’s reach, yet always close enough to garner some attention.
The game between the two goes on daily or nightly, depending on the time they end up in the backyard together.
Buster has never come close to catching the rabbit, although the desire to do so remains high. He’s more white in the face than he used to be, and he goes up the steps more gingerly than he ever has. The games of fetch don’t last as long either.
Yet, each time he spots that rabbit, Buster is rejuvenated. He’s spry. He’s determined. He’s a kid at play, hoping for that opportunity when the rabbit decides not to dash away.
It’s the challenge that keeps him young.
We all should be so lucky to find a counterpart that brings out our youthful exuberance.
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