Rusty

August 1, 1980 to July 3, 1994

Rusty was my first Brittany, little did I know she would set the precedence for all my (so far) future dogs. I was 8 years old when we got her. I remember her first night home she fell into a sump pump and cried and cried almost all night. This was right under my bedroom window and I knew I would get in trouble if I got up. I didn't understand at the time why mom wasn't going to console my new puppy.

I later found out mom didn't respond until the wee hours of the morning because she didn't want to set the precedence in Rusty's mind that whining and crying got human attention. When mom went out to finally see what Rusty was so upset about, she found her in the sump pump all dirty. Mom cuddled her the rest of the night, she felt bad that she hadn't responded sooner.

Rusty and I sort of grew up together. My dad moved out and I got a dog, a lot of things were suddenly changing in my life. I had no idea what it meant to have a dog nor did I understand the responsibilities that went with it. As dogs often are, Rusty was very forgiving. When she was 10 I left home and took Rusty with me. She really ended up being my dog. She chose me as her person and I did the best I could.

There are many regrets I have with Rusty. Looking back I wish I had done many things differently. I can't go back but know that Rusty had a good life despite my short comings. Rusty and Tache, I am sure are playing at the Bridge together just waiting to impart "justice" when I arrive.

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14 March 2006