So Long Sir Rusty, Old Friend

[HobieMarty]

Mom and Charlie had two dogs, Rusty and Cinder. Now, Mom has only Cinder. She had to have Rusty put to sleep today. It was time. Rusty had been suffering from arthritis and had to have help getting up and walking recently. Mom called the Vet today and they came out to help her get Rusty into her car and they took X-rays to see what was going on with Rusty and confirmed that he had arthritis and they found a mass in his chest that was causing him to have a cough recently as well. So, Mom had to make a tough decision today and say goodbye to Rusty.
Charlie always got his pups from the humane society, and he would always ask which dog was the most likely to not be adopted, and that is the one he would choose. Rusty was at the shelter and had been given up on when he was 2 years old. People said he wasn't good with children and was too rambunctious. Mom and Charlie adopted Rusty and gave him a wonderful life. Rusty never showed any signs of aggressive behavior ever and was a good boy. He was an Australian cattle dog and had a lot of energy, of course, but he was well-behaved.
It is sad to say goodbye to Rusty, and I am sad for my Mom as Rusty was kind of the last part of Charlie, and well, it's going to be a big adjustment for Mom and Cinder. Rusty was 14 and half years old.
Rest in peace, Rusty, we will miss you old buddy.

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[pwd72s]

Be sure to hug your mom....and Cinder too.

[Billiam 911 2.8]

Thank you for sharing this with us. The way Charlie picked shelter dogs hit home here. Rusty had a great life. My condolences to your mom and hugs to Cinder.

[LWJ]

I really love Charlie's dog selection criteria. Sorry for your loss. Dogs are family.

[unclebilly]

Sorry to hear about Rusty. He sounds like a great pup.

Putting down a family pet is the worst part of bringing cats and gigs into our lives. Luckily the other times we have with them make it all worthwhile.

[GothingNC]

So sorry for your loss :-(

Rest in Peace Rusty.

[rfuerst911sc]

Dogs give so much to our lives . RIP ol pup you have crossed the rainbow bridge . Sorry for your families loss .

[oldE]

Flow, the Border Collie we have now, was the first (of 10) dogs in this house which wasn't a rescue of some sort. Rusty will have brought lots of joy into their lives in return for their compassion.

Best
Les

[Cairo94507]

Rest in Peace Rusty. The hardest thing ever is to say goodbye to our beloved pets who provide us with unconditional love everyday of their lives.

My wife and I are in the final stages of adopting a 9 month old "Min Pin" (female) after our last wiener dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge in October of last year. We both decided we had to have another dog and once she is adjusted to her new forever home we may get another wiener doggie to be her sister.

[Chocaholic]

They just don’t last long enough. Sweet sorrow, I suppose. Such wonderful companions. So sorry for your loss and the pain your mom is dealing with. Not sure if feasible, but a new adoption is a sure fire way to lessen the pain.

[astrochex]

Sorry for your familys loss. You can always be thankful for the many great years you had with Rusty.

[wdfifteen]

It's so hard to say goodbye.
I'm sorry for your loss.

(dog and cat obituaries kill me - I tear up every time I read another one)

[Baz]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us, Marty. Losing Rusty of course is not so wonderful, except for the fact that he is no longer in pain and had such a wonderful life. In fact - I know he KNEW he was loved. And was afforded the greatest gesture of love and respect we could ever give one of our four-legged family members. Rusty was given a dignified ending by those who loved him the most in his lifetime.

So long and farewell - we will meet again, my love.....

[HobieMarty]

Thank you guys so much from the bottom of my heart. I shared the link to this thread with Mom, and she was very grateful for the condolences and says thank you so much. Thanks so much, I truly appreciate y'all more than you will ever know.

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[Jeff Higgins]

I am so, so sorry for your loss. One of us celebrating a birthday, the other mourning the passing of a beloved member of the family. We all know it is a part of it, but that sure doesn't make it any easier. They are family, in a way that even family isn't. Pet owners know what I mean. RIP, Rusty.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by HobieMarty

Charlie always got his pups from the humane society, and he would always ask which dog was the most likely to not be adopted, and that is the one he would choose.

Altruism squared. I am in awe!

[Danimal16]

The ultimate human quality, I have a Friend who does the same thing. He is a great human being.