Rudy - now Rufus
On August 17th, 2008, my sweet Rudy was put to sleep because of a huge tumor in his leg. His vet said taking off his leg and part of his hip was an option. Through Annette's conversation with him, he decided he did not want to live like that. He and I, and his dear friend, Auntie Debbie, spent his last week together. Loving, petting, and cuddling him, right to the last seconds. I was breathless with grief. He was such a fine spirit.
I spoke with Annette to check in on him after he had had about a week's rest in spirit world, and she saw him jumping in a meadow with a cat. Debbie thought it was her dear Madonna, another sweet spirit who was not afraid of Rudy, of deer, of anything.
My friends were concerned about how sad I had become. When I said I was thinking of adopting a three legged dog from the shelter, they were happy and relieved. It was adopted before I could get there. Annette said Rudy wanted to come back. He wanted to be a big boy dog again, but not too big, because of health problems. He wanted to be the only one in my life. I spent hours on line looking at Doberman and Rotti crosses like Rudy. Then, a little girl dog with deep wise eyes touched my heart. I called to ask about her and the next thing, poof, she was here from Taiwan of all places. Lei Lei lived with me the first year after Rudy left. Rudy was clear he was not her, but still wanted to come back, even if he and she had to share space.
I kept looking on line for dog who looked like Rudy, and even asked about a few, but they too were already adopted. Then I went to the shelter and saw a yellow lab with big soulful dark eyes. Annette had told me to find a dog that spoke to my heart and Gunny sure did. But I was fostering Hoagie, a sad dog who had been abused. When he bit me and Lei Lei, I knew I could not keep him. Annette checked with Gunny, the lab, and he was willing to go to spirit and let Rudy live in his body. I went up to get him.
Well, Gunny became Rufus to commemorate Rudy. He's been with me now for 6 months. He gradually became more and more like Rudy, just like Annette said he would. He met his Auntie Debbie on Memorial Day weekend and he recognized her immediately. He was a friendly dog to everyone, but when he met Auntie Debbie, he almost levitated. He jumped on her and leaned into her for pets just like Rudy always did. He was overjoyed and smiling, jiggling and kissing, making little barking sounds.
Because Rufus had been abandoned twice to the shelter, he became anxious when I would leave. He didn?t like cars and he didn't like water. A lab who doesn't like water? Annette discovered Rufus had been punished by having water sprayed in his face when he barked. He was wild and frenetic. He shredded the inside panels of my car's front seats because of abandonment anxiety. That was earlier. But now he knows he is home again, and knto be aows he won't be andoned again. He does not panic when I leave for work. He let Lei Lei think she is dominant doggie, even though he is twice her size. When I see photos of Rudy around the house, my sadness is now contentment because he is back.
Thank you dear Annette for guiding us through this reunion. Diane
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