My name is Beth, and Buster is my fur-child. I'm a graphic designer and teach art to kids (grades K-5), part time. I have one child - Buster's really supposed to be his, but we all know how that works... I'm also an avid reader and I love all kinds of fine art - painting, ceramics, drawing, needlework...you name it! I've been an "animal person" for as long as I can remember, starting with my first cockapoo when I was only 2 years old. I've always had birds, dogs and/or horses at one time or another (right now I have all three!). Even the occasional cat. It's been about 7 years since my last dog (a beautiful purebred male Rottie) passed on - it took a while to get over that one. (Cancer - it was rough!) But here I am again, a new puppy owner!

My pup, Buster, is a mutt - we think a terrier mix. We adopted him (at an est. 12 weeks old) from an animal rescue group who takes animals (dogs, cats, bunnies...) out of the Imperial County (a desert area in southern Calif.) Animal Shelter. This shelter is located very near the mexican border and they are absolutely overwhelmed with strays like Buster. Due to limited space, they have ended up being a high-kill shelter. Fortunately for us, though, a wonderful group of people at El Cajon Animal Rescue picks up as many of their animals as they can and brings them back to San Diego for adoptions.

Buster is just a joy to have in our lives. Sure, we have plenty of standard puppy issues - who doesn't?! But I think we got very lucky too! He catches on to everything quickly. And thanks to MSP, and fellow forum members, we're learning to be better teachers.

Beth