DogMan is taking this week off from PWR columnist duties. In his absence, Buster is filling the slot. Buster is DogMan's dog.

When I first met him I was just a youngster; my first task was to name my human, as his task was to name me. Since I was a pup, I had lots of bad habits to overcome. My human was very firm, in my face, clear in his direction, and demanding of my behavior. To this I responded fully; I am a dog who likes a man who knows what he wants. The two of us bonded inseparably with each other in short order.

From this bond I drew my inspiration: him being a man, me being a dog, the two of us being different sides of the same persona. I decided he was to be named "DogMan." This seemed both poetic and appropriate. My human, being a bit more prosaic than I, named me "Buster."

He was a man who liked to surf, as he still does today. The two of us undertook treks to the beach several times a week. Good waves, lousy waves, sunny weather, rainy weather, winter or summer we drive to the shore to play in the sand and in the water. Since I love to swim and fetch, we get along famously. First DogMan rides the waves, then he comes ashore to throw a stick, a ball, or a frisbee (my favorite) into the water over and over. My job is to chase whatever he throws as hard and fast as I can, fetch and retrieve it again. It's true I do this because I enjoy it, but more importantly it's clear DogMan loves it too. I don't want to cheat him of his pastimes! So even if I'm not in the mood I pretend to play along, madly chasing and retrieving whatever he throws for me.

Sometimes I get most impatient waiting on the shore for DogMan to finish surfing. I have to bark at him loudly to get his attention and let him know of my feelings. On more than one occasion I've had to swim out to the lineup to tell him it's time to come ashore. DogMan reacts curiously when I do this, but he always allows me to escort him back to the beach. Good thing he has me to watch out for him!

While I'm waiting on the beach for the end of the session, it's my job to greet every surfer who enters or exits the water. I tell each one how much I like coming to the beach, and ask them to throw a stick or ball for me. Sometimes they do, but it's never as much fun as when DogMan throws it. Also I tell them to not drop in on DogMan, and to let him have as many waves for himself as he can catch. Somehow I don't think they listen very closely to me on this issue.

Though he has been writing and photographing surfing for many years, it was September of 2001 that DogMan began to contribute columns to PacificWaveRider. He talks with me often about plans for a coming feature, which photos to use, and how to respond to readers' email. I tell him freely my ideas, and I humbly feel DogMan's columns are so much the better for having a canine point of view. Sometimes I assist the photography by running along the beach and barking whenever a surfer is going off. I think this really helps DogMan get the best shots. He reciprocates by taking pictures of me too. This really strokes my ego, but don't tell him I said so.

I plan to accompany DogMan to the beach on surf sessions for many years to come, and to continue helping to write and layout the DogMan Chronicles. If you or your dog has any suggestions as to how I can improve, just email DogMan. It's really weird, but so far he won't let me have my own email account!

Bark!

Buster

Since Buster wrote this in 2005, many dog years have passed. Buster is no longer with me, and I miss him. I have two young eager beach pups who accompany me on my surf adventures. But no dog will ever come close to replacing the special relationship I had with my best dog ever, Buster.

CU Out There,

DogMan