YOUR NEIGHBORS: Carol Woods and Sue Bridgman

Neighborhood: Pineshores
Your neighbor since: 1984 and 2001

When Sue Bridgman and Carol Woods met in 2004, they had one thing in common: Buster, the neighborhood dog.

Buster had been the neighborhood’s dog since anyone could remember. His owners weren’t able to take care of him, so he would wander through the neighborhood, sneak into Bridgman’s backyard or follow Woods’ husband, Jim, and their dog, Lucky, on walks. Woods adopted Buster after he began sleeping on their front lawn.

In 2013, a year after Buster’s death, Bridgman and Woods, along with their husbands, Howard and Jim, wanted to commemorate their companion.

When a friend from the dog park suggested they write a book, Bridgman and Woods began crafting “How Buster Got Lucky.”

“Buster told his own story,” says Bridgman. “We just put the pictures and words to match.”

Bridgman, the illustrator, has been painting and making arts and crafts since childhood. Woods took classes in children’s book writing at the Adult & Community Enrichment Center at Sarasota County Technical Institute.

The book tells the story of Buster’s journey from enjoying his freedom to finding a new home. Woods and Bridgman wanted to send the message that although every dog has its day, at the end of that day, it needs a home.

Proceeds from the book benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs, Morris Animal Foundation and Buster’s veterinarian, Animal Medical Clinic of Gulf Gate Sarasota.

Woods and Bridgman hope sharing Buster’s legacy will inspire others to help dogs in need.

“He was everyone’s dog,” says Woods.

HOW TO GET A COPY: “How Buster Got Lucky” is available on amazon.com.

Contact Harriet Sokmensuer at [email protected]