Be Well Rufus

Tonight my dad had to put our family dog, Rufus, to sleep.

He's had a neurological problem for a while now, his motor skills have been deteriorating, his muscles weakening, his body dying. Today he couldn't get up and he couldn't eat. Tomorrow he had an appointment with a neurologist, but his poor, tired old body couldn't wait till tomorrow. He was in pain, and we couldn't let our old friend suffer.

I am so sad. My sister called to tell me and we both just cried like a couple of babies, sniffling into the phone, not even talking. I had tears streaming down my face, I'm sure she did too. I still do, even now as I write this.

I know that thus is the circle of life, and that he lived a good life, a healthy life, a happy life. But I can't help crying for him, for his sweet nature and his voracious appetite. I smile a little as I think about his appetite... that dog could eat! He would eat anything. Not only did he have an appetite for food, but he'd eat garbage, grass, cat poo, anything he could get his grubby mouth on. Haha, such a character.

Every day when he got home from work, my dad would let him and his brother Buford out in the front yard and they'd walk down the street together to get the mail. Then he's give them each a handful of cookies and pet them, rub their ears, give them love.

As a mammoth sized stinky outside dog, Rufus rarely came inside the house... but every now and then he'd weasel his way in and could be found cleaning up a crumb or two off the kitchen floor or under the dining room table.

A mellow protector.
A keeper of secrets.
A gentle soul.

Rufy, you will be missed. We love you.