R.I.P., Rusty: 8/21/97 to 11/8/11
(Here's one of the last pictures I took of Rusty, taken the day before his death, plowing the trail for Eddie and Jillie.)
Rusty died yesterday, and I have a huge hole in my heart today. The amazing dog with the improbable story had complications from a heart ailment. He hobbled over to me for one last hug and literally died in my arms as I laid him down on his bed for the final time. He was 14.
Rusty was a YT dog from the beginning, and pretty much his whole life has been chronicled here in one form or another. He was rescued as a 2-year-old by a family in New Jersey, better known around here as MeganS, Teri88, Dad Ken and brother Kevin.
Megan and Teri were very active when I joined YT in 2005, and they quickly joined my inner circle of virtual friends. Megan was 12, but her spunk and maturity impressed everyone who read one of her posts. Teri, the doting Mom, came to YT to make sure her pride and joy wasn't hanging out with the wrong crowd online. I'm glad she never caught on to me!
Our virtual friendship turned very real on Oct. 28, 2007, when Megan made this post: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/off...-sad-news.html. Her family had come on some hard times, and this little girl was having to do something that no little girl should ever have to do: rehome her best friend, Rusty, along with all the other animals in their pack.
I cried when I read that post then, and I cry today when I read it. It was a turning point in all of our lives.
To make a long story short, my wife and I adopted Rusty, and eight days after Megan posted that thread this 10-year-old New Jersey Lab mix made a grueling flight to Alaska to be in his forever home. It was all very public here on YT, and dozens and dozens of people tracked the flight and wished us all the best.
Kelly and I adopted Rusty for all the wrong reasons. We made a sentimental decision, which is not always a good idea when adopting a dog. But for reasons beyond my comprehension, we were rewarded with the perfect addition to our family, one whose experience around other Yorkies would bring balance to my sometimes schizophrenic pack.
Rusty instantly became Jack's best friend. Jack was a geriatric rescue who had been treated poorly by Eddie, my young buck. Rusty was Jack's protector, and Jack was his shadow. Rusty completed Jack, and they had three incredible years together before Jack passed.
Jack was Rusty's shadow.
But Rusty's work wasn't done here yet. Two years ago, I brought home Jillie, a precocious pup who started out on Eddie's bad side. But once again, there was Rusty, an instant best friend and protector. If Jack was Rusty's shadow, Jillie was a barnacle! Rusty couldn't rotate on his bed to get comfortable without Jillie following his every move and repositioning herself as close as possible.
Jillie always looked up to her big brother.
Eddie wasn't nice to Rusty, either. He was threatened and jealous, and more than once I had to pull him off poor Rusty, who didn't give a hoot about pack leadership and just wanted everyone to be friends.
As the years passed, even Eddie softened to his big brother. The fighting stopped and we achieved balance again. I attribute much of that to Rusty's steady and calming influence.
I could go on and on about Rusty's adventures in Alaska, but most of them are preserved here in YT's massive database. As with Jack, it's comforting to know the pictures, videos and tales of his exploits are here to revisit any time I want. I really love that about YT.
So, farewell, Rusty, and thank you. I've been telling you for months just what you've meant to me and Megan's family, and you allowed me to tell you that one more time as we were saying goodbye yesterday. Kelly and I and Megan's family will miss you terribly, but you've more than earned some peace. When the grief subsides, I know I'll find mine in the wonderful memories I'll have for a lifetime.
Video: Rusty's arrival in Alaska
http://youtu.be/6xQ1ON1OubQ
Comments 26
Total Comments 26
Comments
Rusty's StoryHeartbreaking and wonderful. What a love story. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 10:55 AM by yorkietalkjilly |
Can't even see through the tears right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love that stupid old dog so much, Mike. and I know that you and Kelly love him just as much, and in some ways, even more. I'm reading through the initial thread now. It's amazing how fast those old feelings came back to me even after these years, including the anger at the people who had negative things to say. I wish they were around now so they could see what that turned out to be - the best thing to ever happen in Rusty's life. When I was talking to Kelly last night she told me that she hoped we wouldn't lose touch. Never, ever, ever. You're stuck with me for life, Michael! Part of me accepted a time ago that I'd never see Rusty again, even though I'd always hoped I would have a chance. I'm so grateful that he passed so peacefully, knowing the truest love there is. You and Kelly are amazing, Mike. I am so grateful that "my baby" had the chance to become "our dog." Thank you for everything, and for this beautiful post. Rusty is in your heart forever and he was blessed to have you in his life, as I am to have you in mine. and we, of course, were ALL blessed to have Rusty. (and I'll let you be the first one to start making jokes again ) | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 11:27 AM by MeganS |
Wow, I hadn't read the initial story. I can't believe how YT had such a huge impact in getting you and Megan together, and I'm sure knowing Rusty went to you eased Megan’s heart. My heart goes out to both of you, he sounds like such a loveable dog, and I’m so glad he was well loved. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 11:51 AM by Nancy1999 |
Oh stop. You just couldn't let me take the lead in tear-inspiring posts, could you? You make a great point, though. In addition to bringing peace to our family, Rusty really brought our families together. I've had many good virtual friends on YT who I've lost touch with. But our friendship has only grown. I met you and your Mom in person at the Alexandria meetup, and I have no doubt we'll see each other many times in the future. And the bond is not just with you and your Mom. Your Dad called me yesterday to offer his condolences, and we spoke like a couple of old friends. And even Kevin and I are FB friends, and our conversations are always comfortable and honest. Rusty brought us all together, and I agree it's a bond that will never end. However, if you ever bring my heartfelt confession up on FB, I'll deny it | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 11:55 AM by alaskayorkie |
What a wonderful story of friendship on many levels. Rusty was a best friend and protector. I loved the video of the first walk. I am sad to hear of his passing but it made me smile to see how he enriched so many lives. Good Boy Rusty. R.I.P. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 12:19 PM by Buster Brown |
Rest in peace sweet Rusty. Your life touched so many people. What a blessing you have been to your doggie families, your human families, and your Yorkie Talk family. xoxoxoxoxo | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 01:43 PM by Bitsy |
Mike and family i am so sorry..Rusty you will be missed by so many, you have give me so many smiles.. RIP sweet boy | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 02:24 PM by Micah my love |
I am so sorry to hear of Rusty's passing. He was a special dog and I loved seeing him in all your pictures and videos. His was a great example of the special bonds formed on YT. RIP Rusty! | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 03:03 PM by Patti |
So very sorry for your loss. Your post is a beautiful tribute. Farewells are so difficult! | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 04:07 PM by Yorkie Tails |
I knew Rusty's story before, but there's something about seeing it all laid out in one place again, Mike. You and Kelly were a gift to Rusty, and he to you. Rest in sweet peace, good boy, and may your soul soar beyond the stars. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 04:12 PM by donatella80 |
Way to go you made me What a beautiful post! All of you have such wonderful memories of Rusty! You and Kelly (aka Cindy ) were so amazing to adopt Rusty. I LOVE the pictures of Rusty with Jillie and with Jack. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 05:02 PM by Bonnie's Mom |
I knew better than read this blog and once again shed tears over a dog I never knew and was not mine. You and Kelly did not adopt him for the "wrong" reasons, Mike. It was meant to be. God bless the sentimental part of you that made the decision ....cause I know the Shooks did...daily. Rip Rusty. I enjoyed your "yorkie" adventures. You and Jack find my Trace in heaven..he'd like a little dog meet up . | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 05:06 PM by bchgirl |
This last picture is fabulous. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 05:07 PM by bchgirl |
Mike, Kelly, Furkids & Megan...the initial thread was beautiful even tho' it was painful at the time...and now to see the full circle of Rusty's life not only brought about tears it was a good reality check to remind me why I love being a foster Mom so much! Thank you Megan for loving Rusty so much that you selflessly put his needs above yours and entrusted his care & future with the most "bannable" man (I'm pretty sure in the universe let alone) on YT! Hugs to you Mike (& Kelly, too!) Jo Ann YTNR ~ FM | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 09:06 PM by miabellaamoure |
Thanks, everybody. All this fuss over a Lab -- on a Yorkie forum! -- just proves what Megan said all along: Rusty WAS a Yorkie trapped in a Lab's body. You guys obviously appreciate that. Thanks. And thanks for admitting the tears. I'm keeping track. Deb's count double. | |
Posted 11-09-2011 at 09:47 PM by alaskayorkie Updated 11-09-2011 at 10:08 PM by alaskayorkie |
As always ..beautiful. And I knew better than to read this at work. SIGH. As much as we razed you, you're a good guy. I could only hope that someone like you would do for me what you did for Megan and her family. Rusty had a great life no doubt about it. | |
Posted 11-10-2011 at 05:29 AM by rrosenberry |
I can barely see through the tears. Following Rusty has been a wonderful journey. | |
Posted 11-11-2011 at 10:33 AM by yorkieusa |
Mike , I can not believe I didnt see this until today!! I am so very sorry! I always loved watching your videos and waiting for Rusty to show up in the shot!! He was lucky to have 2 loving families in his life. Im so glad you two had that last moment together. My deepest sympathies to you all. | |
Posted 11-12-2011 at 11:34 AM by LDandPasquale |
Mike, MeganS and Teri I am sorry for your loss. As I was watching the socks video by mike I was remembering all times on YT and how Megan had to figure out rehoming her dogs. I am also crying as I read the posts I feel that he was so happy being who he was surrounded by loving people in this life. RIP Rusty! | |
Posted 11-12-2011 at 04:07 PM by michiko |
I didn't know Rusty's full story as I only joined YT in 2008, but reading that now has got me crying too! That was beautifully written Mike. | |
Posted 11-12-2011 at 05:04 PM by capt_noonie |