by Laura Lillie
This is a story about a sweet dog named Rusti. She came into our lives when my husband, the big, mean policeman saved her from the dog pound and brougth her home. I named her Rusti even though she was all black. When she stood in the sun you could see brown coloring around her face and ears, I said she looked like she was rusting.
Right from the start she was a great dog, never chewed anything, did not bark to much and was easily housebroken. She was extremely intelligent. My husband taught her obedience and she never forgot. She loved everyone and wanted to be petted all the time.
She would sleep by me at night and when i was ill would never leave my side. When my husband retired she was with him all the time. He would make special meals for her, she had a weak stomach and sometimes would get sick on regular dog food. He walked her and brushed her. Sometime he would clip her and I would tell him she looked like someone put a bowl on her and cut her. She would just sit there and let him do what he wanted. She would run around the yard and chase us, she never really fetched but we would have a good time with her. She loved our grandchildren and when we boarded her our Vet would take her home with him sometimes, he loved her because she was such a sweet dog. Got along with everyone and all other animals. She loved to chase rabbits but would never hurt them. Just chase them.
After may years, 15 to be exact we started to see changes, we tried to help her but we knew she was suffering. She loved us so much we had to let her go so she could be at peace. On June 24 this year we put her to sleep, she had a brain tumor and was suffereing. We were holding her when the end came and she went very quietly, no sound. We brought her home and my husband buried her in the back yard. When he came in he started sobbing, I held him until he stopped but his heart was broken, his girl was gone. I still cry when i think of her and miss her so much. There were so many things we did that she was a part of, we find our selves looking for her when we are doing those tasks. I always used to give her a piece of cheese at night, my husband would take her out when he went for the newspaper. Our life is missing something. Maybe some day we can have another pet, but I will always remember my sweet Rusti and the joy we had with her over the years. I truly hope that God does love all animals and she is now with him and showing him the love and loyalty she gave us.