Saying Good-bye to Rusty

Rusty's last car ride - We will miss Rusty!

Rusty was 12 when we left on the Loop. That is 108 in people years. He managed just fine for the most part. 

At the last few months of the trip he was clearly in pain. We visited veterinarians regularly. In fact vet expenses were a big deal since arriving back from the Bahamas in April 2013. He pooped where he should not and did not climb the steps well at all. Walks got shorter and shorter. The hot weather made it worse.

He enjoyed the cold winter. Actually he preferred cold weather anyway. But after Christmas it became clear he was in pain. On April 2, 2014 at age 14 we took him for his last visit to the vet.

It was difficult to put him in the car for the last time. Dan took his dog house, toys and food to the local shelter while we were gone. Rusty wandered around the vet’s office inside and out, saying hello to other dogs and smelling the smells outside. He knew exactly what was going on. He walked right into the exam room and laid down. He never did that before. I guess he knew.

They gave him a shot then another one. We petted him and cried a lot. The ride home was long and lonely. We drank two bottles of wine and collapsed in bed exhausted from our sadness.

We will miss that dog.