When the Humane Society of Pike County’s 2017 Pet Photo Contest closed on Aug. 20, Breanna Barron was a bit disappointed. Her favorite dog in all the world had not won. But Buster wasn’t disappointed. At least he didn’t show it. He went about life as if he were the only dog in the world.

Buster had been in a close race for the cover spot on the Humane Society of Pike County’s 2017 Pet Photo Calendar, which is a big deal for pets in Pike County. The lead had change several times with Buster; Kim Lester’s cat, Kitz; and Carol Ellis’ Bama jocking back and forth.

When the contest closed Kitz was sitting in the catbird’s seat with Buster a close second.

“I was disappointed a little, but I was proud that so many people had voted for Buster,” said Breanna, a fifth-grader at Goshen Elementary School. “I was proud of Buster, too.”

What Breanna and Buster didn’t know was that the numbers posted on the humane society’s website were not the final numbers.

The voting ended at 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 but votes that were turned in at several on-site voting locations prior to that time would not be picked up and counted until Monday.

“When they picked up votes at Troy Antiques on Monday, all of those votes were for Buster,” Breanna said. “Those votes put Buster over the top. He had won and we didn’t even know it until then. That was so exciting.”

Bubba J and Champ, the long-haired dachshunds that belong to Breanna’s grandparents, Sheldon and Teresa Doty, were also in the Pet Photo Contest. The dachshund brothers were also rans but they appeared to be as happy for Buster as all the rest of the family.

Bubba J and Champ have been in the family for more than three years. They came into the family as “chosen pets.” Little Buster came in by chance.

About two years ago, Breanna’s cocker spaniel “crossed over the rainbow bridge” leaving an empty spot in her life.

“I really wanted another dog but I didn’t know if I would ever get one,” Breanna said. “I just kept hoping.”

One morning, Breanna went to the mailbox and, to her great surprise, there sat two dogs. Right then and there, the shaggy white pup caught her eye and tugged at her heart.

“He was so little and looked like he was lost,” Breanna said.

A neighbor soon came and claimed the other dog. Breanna claimed the little white dog as hers but it was not.

Teresa Doty said the right thing to do was publicize that a dog, part Shih Tzu, had been found. The owner was probably looking for him.

“I was hoping nobody would claim Buster because I wanted him so bad,” Breanna said.

Nobody ever came to claim Buster. Breanna had a puppy to love.

“I love him a lot,” she said. “He likes to sleep in the bed with me and I like that, too. When I’m at school, Buster stays outside but, when I get home, he comes inside with me.”

Breanna assumes most of the responsibility for Buster. And, most of the time, he is a good dog but, every now and then, he gets into some mischief and has to be scolded.

“When Bubba J and Champ are around, Buster get nervous,” Breanna said. “I’m not sure he likes them. They are all jealous of each other.”

And, when the 2017 Pet Photo hits the stands in late October, and Buster Brown Brunie is featured on the cover, the dachshund brothers will have to deal with their jealousy and take a backseat to the shaggy little pup that came, special delivery, to Breanna Barron via U.S. mail.