Our Loveable Dog Rusty (Rusty dog)

by Sunshine
(Jamestown, NM)

Seven years ago, Rusty came into our life. He is a Golden Retriever mix. My husband had just recently lost his dog after 14 years. Then, a week later, Rusty was adopted. We took him into our home. He was about two years old at the time.

As he got to know us, and we got to know him, he started to protect us, and his home. He was a runner. Every now and then, we would take him to run, and he would run fast, and jump over the bushes. He would not slow down for anything. Rusty loved to run.

When my husband and I would sit outside, and we let him off the leash, Rusty and our other dog Hershey, would just enjoy being around us. Rusty would come to us and lay his head on our laps. When I was working outside, doing yard work, Rusty would lay in the shade and scan the area. He was just doing his job as a dog. And, he has done his job.

In the evenings, feeding time, when we scooped out the dog food, he would start to run to his dog house, ready to be fed.

Rusty got sick about three weeks ago. We took him to the vet, who ran some tests. We brought Rusty home, but he was not himself. He was not eating at all. Finally, yesterday, August 22, 2011, we had to take him back in to the vet.

The doctor told us that she had bad news. Rusty had a mass of tumor in his body. And, operating maybe would not work. So, my husband and I had to make the hard decision. We decided not to let Rusty suffer any more.

I know it will take time to heal from this loss. But, I know he is not suffering any more. Rusty was a friendly, strong protector, and we will not forget him. The memory of our dog Rusty will live on.