Our Dog Rudy

Dear Ava,

I’m back with more stories. I had lots of friends growing up. Let me introduce to you Bailey, Wrigley and Louie. They really loved me. All three of them. It was love at first site for them. And me? Not so much. I was way too mature for their brotherly shenanigans.

While visiting our friend Jeremy in Fresno, Mama and Dada left me in the backyard with these 3 boys. It wasn’t the best idea. I really did not want to be left alone with a bunch of young pups so I tore down the entire screen door, hoping to get into the house. When that didn’t get me far away from the boys, I  had another plan up my sleeve. I then decided to dig a hole under the fence to escape. I was free. Free at last! Well, I was free until I got caught. Not by the dog catcher (not this time), but by Mama, Dada and Jeremy. They were returning to the house and waiting for the gate to open to let them into Jeremy’s gated community. And who was there waiting to say hello? Me.  I quickly jumped into the car and we sped back to the house to check on the boys. Back at the house, the puppies were still in the backyard, ignoring the hole I dug to freedom.  Sorry about the screen, Jeremy.

And while visiting, I also had to take lots of pictures with the boys. Here is a picture of us on the guest bed together with Dada. I’m the one with the ‘get me out of here’ look on my face. I was patiently waiting for my ‘ok’ after I was asked to ‘wait’ like a good girl for the picture.

You probably think it’s silly that Dada can sleep through playing ‘tent’ in the wee hours of the mornings when Mama brings you into their bed. Well, imagine sleeping with 4 dogs laying next to you. Silly Dada!

Once the boys grew up a bit, they came to visit me in Santa Barbara and in Ventura. Here they are at my Dada’s going away party. He was moving to San Fransisco.  I was a bit sad, but luckily he missed me soooo much that he moved back after 9 months or so. But I must admit, I was glad to have my three Fresno friends here at the party to wish Dada a safe trip up north and to keep my spirits up…

…even though I had to share my treats with them.

I’ll see you soon in your dreams.

Love,
Rudy

Dear Ava,

Welcome back from vacation! Looks like you had a wonderful time in Croatia with Mama, Dada, Nona, Dida and Mikey. Yes, I’m one of your faithful blog readers. And how can I not be… you are too cute for words (or for barks, hehe).

So, you are long overdue for Rudy story time. Sorry about the wait. I’ll try to be more chatty from now on.

Back in 1999, Mama and I lived on Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. It was a great 1920s home with a wrap-around porch. And, it was walking distance to downtown. Mama and I would take walks to State Street all the time. We loved sniffing and shopping together around town.

No downtown stroll was complete without a stop at my favorite store… The Three Dog Bakery. Truthfully, Mama didn’t have much choice. I am a sled dog, after all. As soon as I smelled the sweet and tasty treats of the bakery, it would put some skip in my step and I would drag her in. Mama would say ‘Slow down Rudy’ but all I would hear was ‘Mush, Rudy. Mush’. hehe.

Look at all these tasty morsels… and they were all for me!

Well, not all of them. Just this big bone-shaped cookie. Yum. I love this place. And when the place wasn’t too crowded, the owner would ask me to sit on this bench and I would get to lick ice cream off of a spoon.

And on the last day I was on this earth, you fed me for the first and last time ever. And what did you feed me? Yummy treats from the Three Dog Bakery. I am not sure if I ever said thank you… so thank you Ava. You made my heart smile.

Love you forever and ever,
Rudy