Travels with Buster A Journey of Unconditional Love

"He must have been hiding to have not been snatched up by now!" That was the only possible explanation I could imagine for why this adorable puppy was still there the day we went to check him out at the RSPCA shelter. From the moment we laid eyes on him until his own had closed, the sacred journey we shared with Buster was to give and receive unconditional love. Set against the backdrop of the beaches and hinterland of Australia's beautiful Gold Coast, 'Travels with Buster - A Journey of Unconditional Love' is the true story of life with Buster, our beloved Staffy x kelpie.

On the day Buster came into their lives, Diane Viola, a Relationship & Family Coach, found her perfect sidekick. Most importantly, Buster had made Diane and her husband, Roberto a family, with all the joys and sorrows that accompany it! And the lessons he taught them became the stories and metaphors she would share with her clients to illustrate a point and lighten their load.

Now lovingly retold through the vignettes in this book, these lessons for parents, partners and the cycle of life mean that Buster's purpose as a teacher of loving-kindness, not only in his 15 years here on Earth but in perpetuity, may be fulfilled. A tribute to the gift that he was, may it touch the cockles of your heart!

Told with tenderness and love, Travels with Buster touches on themes that are central to our story as human beings. Come ready to laugh and to cry, to experience joy and to open your heart to yourself and all sentient beings as you travel the path of unconditional love.

'A heart-warming tale reminding us of what is truly important in life.
Buster is, indeed an amazing teacher!'

Beth Phelan
Conference Director, Happiness & Its Causes

33,000+ words + 24 full-colour photos.

​​​Reviews

'A beautifully conceived memoir of life with a dog. Soul material, charming, so humorous at times I found myself laughing out loud. ... As you travel through life with Buster, you are painted a sense of the Australian landscape and playground of our k9 friends. ... A most delightful read.'

Sharron Brandon

'As proud as any parent can be, Diane leads us on her journey with Buster to laugh, cry and celebrate unconditional love, community and connection for all. An absolutely beautiful read with so many lessons of love, I highly recommend this book for any parent of children and/or fur babies.'

Mary Brock

'Through reading this book, I now have a better insight into what lies before me and not only the sadness, but also the positives of my future time with our beloved Jack Russell, Esme.'

Robert Brown

'How skilfully you weave the stories of Buster into all the lessons about growth and life. How simply we can understand your messages and use them for our own lives. Simple yet profound. ... between the tears and the laughter, we all benefit so much from your wisdom.'

Jacky Haworth

'A lovely balance of sharing, empathy and gentle teaching. Your natural gift as a true teacher is most poignantly reflected here in your absolute willingness to be the student, to be vulnerable and to receive the lessons that life and Buster offer you.'

Pete Sheldon