Our Dog Rudy

Dear Ava,

It’s been two weeks since I left this world and I want you and everyone to know that I am doing well. I am no longer in any pain and Nanook is just as I remembered her. She is overdue for a pedicure and her nails sure make a lot of noise when she’s tap dancing on the floor. Yeah, we have hardwood floors up here too. Bailey and Louie have also come by for a visit in the last week and those labs sure like to run. I am tired just watching them chase tennis balls all day. Hopefully no one is worried about me because I am happy and enjoying everyday while napping in the sunshine up here in doggy heaven.

I remember when mommy and daddy first brought you home from the hospital a couple of days after your were born. I was watching them through the dining room window with Yoda when daddy carried you from the car to the front door in the new car seat. They had such joy in their eyes as they welcomed you home for the first time. It reminded me of the first time daddy picked me up and brought me home to meet mommy.

I was just a little baby when daddy came to see me and all of my brothers and sisters. My real mom gave birth to 2 litters of puppies almost back to back so she was very worn and thinned. She was losing patches of her fur but us babies were healthy as can be. Despite me being a ‘red’ husky, both of my real mommy and daddy were black or gray huskies. When I was a baby, I had markings on my belly in the shape of an arrow so people called me ‘Arrow’ to make it easier to tell me apart from all of my brothers and sisters. I was just 6 weeks old daddy walked into my yard on the day I start my new life.

When daddy walked in to the yard we were all excited and began running circles around the new visitor. I ran straight up to his feet and got a hold of his shoe laces with my little sharp puppy teeth. That struck him as kind of silly and we immediately made a connection. He picked me up and held me for the rest of the time. It was a sign for him that I was destine to spend the rest of my life with him. He decided to take me home in a little shoebox and I sat in a shoebox on the floor of the passenger seat the entire trip back to Santa Barbara.

I remember meeting mommy when I finally got to my new home and she was so ecstatic to see me she grabbed me right out of daddy’s arms and held me tightly in her arms. I knew I was with a loving family and looked forward to experiencing life with my new daddy and mommy. Our family grew over the years but I felt loved and joy from everyone. I am having fun here in heaven and don’t feel sad for me. Be a good girl for mommy and daddy and I will talk to you soon…

love,

Rudy

Dear Ava,

By the time you are able to read this, I will have been long gone. But don’t worry about me. I lived a long life and had a great time with you and everyone in our family during the 10 1/2 years I had on this earth. I am spending my days playing and nights sleeping soundly here in doggy heaven with all of my friends. Scraps and Nanook are both here with me and we are having tons of fun chasing our tails, peeing on trees and chewing on rawhide bones. I know my mommy and daddy are really sad about me leaving but I wanted to let them know that I am in a better place where there is no pain and suffering.

I was living the last year with cancer growing in my belly but I didn’t want to worry everyone so I kept it to myself. It wasn’t until the very end when I couldn’t hide my illness anymore that I had to go to the hospital for a check up. My condition deteriorated quickly and I love you all for being there for me while I left this world. I was not in too much pain and just slowly closed my eyes and went to sleep as the time came for me to go.

Here are all the stories of my life that I’d like to share with you now that you are grown up. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry but all of the stories of my life are meant to show you how much I was loved and how much your mommy and daddy loves you.

Please don’t feel sad for my passing as I am at a better place now. Thank you for the 9 months you spent with me and I will see everyone again one day.

Love,

Rudy