Rusty found us in June 2000. He wandered onto our lawn and Bill and the kids fell in love with him. I didn't. I didn't want a dog because I knew I would be responsible for one more "person" in my home. I did fall in love with him. He never failed to love. He brought laughter to our family. He didn't care for the cats in the neighborhood, the squirrels in the trees or the skunks on the golf course. I can't count the number of tomato juice baths he was given. He was a great walking companion, the great protector from the UPS and FedEx man, and my friend when the rest of the family was gone for the evening or night. I will miss the red hairballs on the tile and the masses of red hair in the vacuum. I will miss that we had to carry him into the dog wash. He was afraid of water. He was petrified of thunderstorms. He loved to bury the steak bones we gave him. He howled at all sirens, inside or outside. He loved Bill the most. Kalli taught him tricks - she was trying to teach him right and left. We always called him "puppy" even though he was far from being a puppy. He loved the guinea pigs. He had two stuffed dogs that he slept with every night. I will miss the fact that he was just the best dog God could have sent to us - he came potty trained. I guess I thought he would live forever, or at least as long as I lived. What was I thinking?
Rusty left us on March 29 after becoming suddenly ill. We will miss him so much. He will forever be in our hearts. Rest in peace sweet puppy.
