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We are sad to tell you that we lost Rusty early this morning. He tried really hard to fight the cancer, but his heart just gave out. After having one dose of the chemo for his lymphoma on Wednesday, he had finally started to perk up. We had a very nice visit with him yesterday afternoon. He was alert and enjoyed being brushed and eating ice cubes. But he had so much going against him, his paws were fluid filled and couldn't walk on it, he had surgery which was a double edged sword. We found out what was wrong through the liver biopsy, but it just took too much out of his already compromised system. He wasn't able to eat so that made it all the harder for him to fight. When we visited last night he was worse than at our afternoon visit so we prepared for the worst. The Vet called us from home at 3:00 am. The clinic called him and he called us. Dr. G was so amazing through this all, he treated Rusty with the attention I would expect he would show to his own pet. The entire staff at the hospital also fell in love with Rusty. He was able to be out of a kennel and with all the Docs and vet techs showering him with attention. Rusty was an amazing dog. Right from the start we fell in love with him, he had a wonderfully fun attitude and always made us laugh when he came in the room with 3-4 tennis balls in his mouth. If we were too busy to play, he'd just toss a ball down the stairs and go after it. Most of the time he didn't have to play by himself. Especially since Dan retired a little over a year ago, Dan and Rusty became even closer. They would start the day with coffee and pets/massages, going on long walks and lots of playing ball. Ending the day with 'floor time'. His previous owners didn't let him on furniture so Dan came to him. I think Rusty enjoyed his ride in the Miata with the top down too! Rusty was sweet, but at the same time he was so much fun. I think we may have bought him 3 tennis balls, but ended up with over a dozen. Many times we'd discover when we got home that he helped himself to balls sometime while on our walk. Last Spring, we took Rusty on a road trip with us to Colorado. It was quite the adventure and know that he really enjoyed running free with his pal Jake. A while back (when we were still trying to find out what was wrong) Rusty's friend Kia (Rick and Irene's beautiful little dog) came to visit and I thought it'd be too much for him, but the opposite happened. Kia and Rusty had such a good time that day. Her Christmas present to Rusty, via Rick and Irene became his favorite toy immediately. It also kept him comforted while he was in the hospital. There's no doubt to Dan and I that when Cindy at RAGOM brought him to us, he was a gift from God. We thank her for the privilege of sharing our life with, and spoiling this wonderful dog as much as we could. Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers, Linda and Dan |
Rusty 04-420
Profile
Rusty is a beautiful almost 3-year-old male Golden. He is neutered and up to date on all of his vaccinations. Rusty is a big boy weighing about 100 pounds. He is used to being outside during the day but since I have had him for the last couple of days he is just fine in the house. Rusty does need exercise as he is young and full of energy at times. Not in a bad way at all, just typical "younger dog energy".
Rusty knows some basic obedience commands. He will need some leash training as he does pull on a leash. At his previous home he would run around on his own so had little time on a leash. Rusty is very smart so it shouldn't take long at all for him to learn what he needs to.
Rusty would love an active family that would take him on walks and play with him. He stays wherever I am and loves to play with a ball and rope toy. He will make someone a great companion and devoted friend. I will be taking him to the vet on Monday to get microchipped and then he will be ready for his forever family.
At a Glance #04-420
| Golden Retriever | Born: March 2001 |
| Male | Weight not specified |
Status: Deceased
Profile
Rusty is a beautiful almost 3-year-old male Golden. He is neutered and up to date on all of his vaccinations. Rusty is a big boy weighing about 100 pounds. He is used to being outside during the day but since I have had him for the last couple of days he is just fine in the house. Rusty does need exercise as he is young and full of energy at times. Not in a bad way at all, just typical "younger dog energy".
Rusty knows some basic obedience commands. He will need some leash training as he does pull on a leash. At his previous home he would run around on his own so had little time on a leash. Rusty is very smart so it shouldn't take long at all for him to learn what he needs to.
Rusty would love an active family that would take him on walks and play with him. He stays wherever I am and loves to play with a ball and rope toy. He will make someone a great companion and devoted friend. I will be taking him to the vet on Monday to get microchipped and then he will be ready for his forever family.
Updates
Sunday, March 1, 2009
He was so gentle, that he was able to calm his friend Rocky, the Jack Russell Terrier, after Rocky was attacked by a German Shepherd. He was also therapy for my friend Kathy when she was in the later stages of cancer. He went to the hospital and visited her, and when the Doctor bent down to pet him, Rusty gave him a little kiss on the lips. He was a good pal to Scott when he was here, and Scott was a great pal for Rusty too...I remember that Rusty followed him around all the time (and it wasn't just that Scott worked in the meat department at our local coop coming home with delicious fish smells). Friday, February 10, 2006
Dear RAGOM:
When Rusty came to meet us, we knew the moment we saw him he was the dog for us. After waiting for a year after we lost our first Golden, Sunny, we were ready for a new friend. And there he was, our beautiful Rusty. If it hadn't been for RAGOM, we never would have found this boy. And what joy he has brought to our life. He's completed our family. He's our only pet except for our goldfish, so he's very spoiled, but I think he deserves it. We were also very fortunate that Rusty, 3 years old, came to us extremely well trained...a much better job than I could have done! Of course that doesn't mean that he's boring, he will do most anything for tennis balls. He's now up to toting around 4 at a time!
Rusty wanted to say a few things himself, he wrote the following when submitting his Christmas picture.
My name is Rusty and I don't really like wearing antlers, but I'd do anything to please my family. I often make them laugh and/or get all mushy.
Since I've been with my new family (February, 2005), I have become the center of their world, really. My previous owners must have trained me really well, I won't go up on the bed to sleep or jump on furniture so Mom and Dad take time before we go to bed each night to lay on the floor with me and tell me how much they love me and gently pet me to sleep.
Mom and Dad keep telling me how much I mean to them and they have told me the story about how I got here. They tell me that RAGOM is filled with loving and dedicated people; with their sole intent of finding good homes for Dogs like me. They know how special Golden Retrievers are and will move heaven and earth to save one of us.
My Guardian Angel, Cindy J, was responsible for finding me a good home. If it wasn't for her...my Mom and Dad might have bought a puppy (yikes) from a breeder. She made them understand how much WE need good homes too. Mom and Dad aren't 'spring chickens' either so a puppy undoubtedly would have been a bad idea.
So I want to wish RAGOM the bestest of Holiday Seasons; and as many adoptive parents as you need in 2006!
Love, Rusty
Thank you RAGOM!
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Monday, January 24, 2005
Rusty wanted to show everyone what a gentle boy he is. This weekend he got to meet a 13 week old Westie puppy, that is smaller than some of his own chew toys! Rusty was so gentle and patient, he let this little boy crawl all over him and never minded a bit! Last week when we got some snow (finally!!) he let Maggie take him for a walk!! Give this boy a call today!
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Thursday, January 13, 2005
Rusty went to the vet on Monday. He has a clean bill of health except for ear infections. After using the ear drops and cleaning them it shouldn't be long and Rusty's ears will be feeling much better.
After having Rusty for about a week now and I can tell you he is a wonderful dog. He really wants people attention and loves to lay by you no matter what room you are in. He listens pretty well to commands but could use a refresher obedience class. He has been alone with Annie 04-426 for up to 8 hours and there have been no problems. I keep the dogs in our main level laundry room with a baby gate while I am gone.
He still likes to chase our kitten. Since he likes to chase the squirrels in the back yard I think the kitten looks like fun to chase too. She runs and so does he. Our other cat doesn't run so he doesn't seem to bother her.
Rusty would do best in a house without children that are 3 and under. That is only because he is a big Golden and he could knock them down easily. He wouldn't do anything intentionally but still has energy and loves to romp. He would love older kids to play with though. I think he would be a great dog for kids to grow up with. Rusty loves to play and fetch.
Rusty is microchipped, is current on all vaccinations and ready for his forever home.
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