Remembering Buck

On April 3, Buck was laid to rest at the top of the knoll in his home pasture. In attendance were his brother Ike, along with new companions of the past month, Star and Bright, as well as four of Buck’s favorite two-leggers. Buck’s last experience was a big tub of doughnuts, his favorite food. His death was instantaneous.

Angels appeared during Buck’s final month, led by veterinary ophthalmologist Alan Bachrach of Petersham, MA. Dr Bachrach helped Buck gain free access to the veterinarians at Tufts University veterinary school. There, doctors determined that the squamous cell carcinoma that had developed in the tissue of Buck’s eye sockets had spread to the bones.

Our town of 7,300 has been grieving. Friends have left flowers at the pasture gate. The region’s newspaper, the Keene Sentinel, noted Buck’s passing in an article and editorial. Friends continue to stop at the pasture gate to acknowledge Buck’s absence. In early May, a 4′ square portrait of Buck will be presented to the local elementary school. Like all oxen, Buck was a big fan of education. He also loved children.

It would take too many words to describe all that Buck and Ike have done as ambassadors of open space protection. They made us appreciate our rural character. They helped us remember our roots. They softened our hearts. They pulled our town together.

Buck and Ike’s final adventure, “Remembering Buck,” has been posted on YouTube.

I am in search of a pasture companion for Ike, who is a 13-year-old 3,000-pound Simmental. Size and breed don’t matter — health and a sweet disposition are the only requirements. Swanzey is in the southwest corner of NH. The 20+ acre pasture is ox paradise.