A Graceful Goodbye

05/22/2026

04/28/2026

04/15/2026

From Buster's loving Family

Buster Rhymes Whims
August 11, 2015 – April 6, 2026
Buster Rhymes Whims, a beloved beagle with a gentle soul and a quiet heart, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026 surrounded by his loving humans at the age of 10.

Born in Fredericksburg, Ohio, Buster was brought home as a surprise gift from his adopted dad, Christopher Whims, to his fiancée, Ashley Sherrell. The moment Ashley saw his sweet little face, she whispered with pure delight, “Aweee, for me? Oh, I love you.” From that very first second, he was deeply loved.

His big brother Gabriel gave him the name “Buster,” and his mama playfully added “Rhymes” just for fun, creating the perfect name for their special boy.

Buster soon became the gentle big brother to Solomon, Gideon, and Selah Whims. He loved when the little ones fed him (and sneak him far more treats than he should have had), sharing countless joyful moments as the children grew up around him.
Unlike most beagles, Buster earned the loving nickname “the silent beagle.” He rarely barked—only when he truly needed to go outside, come back in, or when his stomach made a very convincing case for dinner. Food was his great passion, and he approached every meal (and every opportunity for a second helping) with pure enthusiasm, especially if anyone else was eating nearby.

Buster was far more than a dog. He was a true member of the Whims family. He helped raise the children with his calm presence and endless patience. He loved each of them unconditionally, offered comfort on hard days, and filled their home with quiet joy that words can scarcely capture.

The Whims household will never be the same without the soft sound of his paws, his gentle eyes, or the way he made every ordinary day feel a little brighter. Though our hearts ache with his absence, we are endlessly grateful for every year we had the privilege of loving him fiercely and calling him our own.

Atta boy, Buster. You were the best pup anyone could ever ask for.

Until we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge, rest well sweet boy.
We’ll love you forever ❤️‍🩹

03/07/2026

You keep replaying it, don’t you?
The appointment.
The drive.
The way your hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
You wonder if you waited too long.
Or not long enough.
If there was one more treatment.
One more day.
One more miracle hiding somewhere you missed.
I know that spiral.
I’ve lived in it too.
But listen to me…
You did right by them.
You didn’t choose convenience.
You didn’t choose escape.
You chose to sit there while your heart shattered —
because their pain mattered more than your own.
That’s not weakness.
That’s love at its bravest.
You memorized their breathing.
You counted the good days.
You noticed the way their eyes looked more tired.
The way getting up wasn’t as easy.
And when the time came…
you didn’t walk away.
You stayed.
You held their face in your hands.
You whispered the same words you’d always said.
You let them leave this world hearing your voice.
Do you know how sacred that is?
Beyond the 🌈
I don’t believe they carry confusion.
I don’t believe they carry fear.
I believe they carry relief.
I imagine them running now —
strong legs, clear lungs, bright eyes.
Looking back at you with that same steady trust.
The kind that says,
“You’ve always taken care of me.”
You did right.
Not because it didn’t hurt.
But because it hurt so much.
Love sometimes looks like holding on.
And sometimes…
it looks like letting go before suffering wins.
You chose mercy.
You chose dignity.
You chose them.
One day, when time folds softly in your favor,
you’ll see it in their eyes again —
no doubt.
No question.
Just love.
Until then,
be gentle with yourself.
The one who loved them that deeply
could never have done wrong. 🐾

02/18/2026

We love supporting our local shelter! Saturday was the 10th annual Bow Wow Ball to raise money for the Wayne County Dog Shelter! Fun!