Born A Dog, Died A Gentleman

Nine years ago next week, I saw a picture of Rudy on the adoption website of a no-kill animal shelter in North Haven.  It seemed like fate that Lee was not only working in North Haven that day, but that his job ended early enough that he was able to visit Rudy (then called "Gentle Will") at the shelter before coming home.  He immediately fell in love and two days later, we adopted Rudy.  Already five years old, he was battered and beaten - his legs were covered with old cigarette burns, his ears were torn up and scarred, he had an old fracture in his front paw that never healed properly, and he had several missing and broken teeth - but he was not broken.  From the very first day, he stole our hearts with his gentle spirit and his unconditional love.  He welcome the arrival of Elizabeth, then Elliot, then Emily with patience, but never jealousy.  His master - his one true and only master - was without a doubt Lee and their bond was indescribable.
Just one month after his arrival, Lee found several lumps on Rudy, which the vet diagnosed as cancer.  He went through a dramatic and traumatic surgery and although the vet was able to get out most of the cancerous tumors, he warned us that the cancer would likely return.  It never did, which I believe was a testament of our love for him.  We, especially Lee, simply willed the cancer away.
Over the last nine years, Rudy was a faithful and (mostly) obedient dog.  He loved walks, although he was always horrible on a leash; he loved to go for rides in the car, although he never once stuck his head out the window; he loved getting table scraps from us; and he absolutely loved it when we pet his head.  He could sit next to a person all day, if only they would pet his head.  Some of my favorite memories of Rudy are from when I was pregnant with Elizabeth and Emily.  Long before Lee or I could feel the girls kicking, he would lay on the couch next to me with his head pressed against my belly.  My pregnancies were the only time he did that.  Rudy's absolute favorite thing to do was be outside; he could stay in the yard all day, without or without us.  It is fitting that his last day on earth was a beautiful one and that he was able to spend so much of the day outside with Lee.
Over the last few months, we noticed a significant slowdown in Rudy.  He began walking more slowly and his balance was off; he also began having regular accidents in the house, even when he had been outside only a short time before.  But it was an eye infection that caused Lee to take him to the vet on Monday; and it was then that the vet delivered the difficult news that we knew was coming, but dreaded just the same.  His Cushings Disease had rapidly progressed, causing him to lose several pounds of muscle mass; his accidents were likely related to a tumor; his back was caving; and the eye infection was actually an ulcer that was causing him tremendous pain.  So Lee brought him home for a bit of TLC - steaks for dinner, lots of hugs and petting, and just the chance to spend a few more days together.  It didn't lessen the pain, but we hope that he left this world knowing how much we loved him.
This has been an extraordinarily difficult week for all of us.  Lee, as you can imagine, has struggled the most although I spent almost the entire day today crying.  Elizabeth has also had a very hard time.  Like Lee, she seems to have a special bond with animals, and Rudy in particular.  Her first word was Rudy (pronounced Rue-key).  It would not be unusual to see her, as she walked through the house, pause to pet Rudy, hug him or kiss him, and then be on her way.  Her arrival brought about no jealousy on Rudy's part, even when she took up Lee's time and energy.  In fact, we always felt that while the girls' high activity levels took their toll on Rudy, that was countered by the fact that he got to spend all day, every day with Lee, the one he loved so much.
And so it was today that Lee and I said the hardest goodbye.  Rudy was a loyal dog and a good boy until the very end.  And we love him so.

Rudy, the day we brought him home (March 2003)

Rudy and Lee, the day we brought Rudy home.

Rudy and Lee in Alton Bay, New Hampshire in May 2003 - you can see that his right side is shaved, which was from his cancer surgery.

Rudy's first Christmas with us (December 2003).

Rudy and Elizabeth in the fall of 2004 (she can't be more than two months old). 

Rudy and Elizabeth (February 2005).

Rudy and Elizabeth (same timeframe). 

Lee, Rudy and Elizabeth (April 2005).

This video of Elizabeth and Rudy, taken on Easter Sunday 2005, pretty much sums up their relationship - and his complete and utter patience.

Elliot, Lee and Rudy (a familiar sight in our house) in March 2006.

Rudy and Elizabeth (April 2006). 

2007

Summer 2007

December 2009. 

 Winter 2010

February 2011

August 2011