When Evan was 5, he asked his Mom for a brother or sister. We told him it couldn’t happen, and he was very sad. One day, he came home from school and said, “Since I can’t have a brother or sister, can we get a dog?”. Anna was adamant that this wasn’t going to happen. He continued to plead with us. One day, Anna says, “There’s a cute litter of Puggles in Burlington, we should just go and see them”. So, we did.

When we got to the house, there were 6 little Puggles. One was white and brown, 4 were typical pugs, running around like crazy. But there was one little guy who sat quietly on his own. Evan gravitated to him. His look was more Beagle than pug, and his color had a rusty tinge. Evan chose him! So much for just going to see them ?

Before the visit, Evan and I had already chosen the name Clarence (we were both big Clarence Clemons fans) for any dog we might have. I thought it was a great name. We could call him "C", we could call him "Big Man"...that'd be cool. "Let's go, Big Man, time for your walk". But on that ride home, when Evan asked what color he was, my wife said, "Sort of rusty-like". So Evan said, "Can we call him Rusty?" And we did. So much for Clarence.

The rest, as they say, is history. For 16 years and 8 months, he has been the centre of our universe. He’s been my rock. When I had a bad day, I’d come from work, and he’d be waiting all excited to see me. We’d do laps around the coffee table and into the kitchen, and then we’d fall to the ground for some “cuddle-time”, and the problems of the day just disappeared.

After my accident and my multiple surgeries, I spent nights on a wing chair, and he lay there right beside me every night. When my Dad was ill, and I’d spend a lot of time on the deck at night alone, he’d come out and sit up on the chair with me. And when COVID hit, and I started working from home…he stayed beside me all day…he loved having someone home. When I moved my office home, he would come into the office where I had my feet propped up on the speaker under my desk, and he’d lay under me for hours. He was my shadow. If I left the room, he’d bark at me, “Get back here Dad!”.

If one of us was away, he’d sit at the top of the stairs all night waiting. And if one of us was gone for a few days, he’d lose his shit when we came through the door – barking, kissing, running in circles. Sometimes he’d do that if we just went to the store….lol. Who else could make you feel so wanted???

So many great memories, but this will be long enough. I’ll use them all to get me through this!! I will say that nobody ever told me how hard this part would be. I’m going to miss hanging out by the pool or him following me around while I do my yard work. I’m going to miss the pitter-patter of his nails clicking on the hardwood, the incessant barking every time someone walked in front of the house or knocked on the door, the sloppy kisses, the “cuddle-times”, turning around to find him stuck on my heels…but thing I’ll miss the most is walking upstairs and seeing the 2 brothers laying down and hugging and chatting. This one hurts for me, but I can’t imagine how tough it is for Evan. This was his brother. It’s all he’s known since he was 5. The 2 of them were buddies. Rusty knew it…he knew who had his back. They had so much fun together, at home, at the cottage, at the ballpark. And in the end, when things got hard, Evan pitched in to help us get through the last 6 or 7 months when Rusty had a tough time walking and basically became incontinent. My heart breaks for Ev… they were true pals (as you can see from this video). My heart also breaks for Anna, who was the best damn-dog-Mom any dog could ask for. While I slept at night, she got up with him. When he was sick, she took care of him. We were his buddies, but she’s the reason we had him for almost 17 years. She doesn’t show it as I do…But I know this is killing her. It’s her little boy. But she should know that we all admire what she did for her Rusty Bucket.

Lastly, Rusty was loved by everyone and anyone who met him. He was so damn cute and so damn friendly. He didn’t like dogs…he loved humans ? One person I know that this is really tough on is my brother Phil. Nobody outside of us loved Rusty like Phil. Whenever I got a text or a call from Phil, it would start with “How’s Rusty?”, “What’s Rusty doing?”, “How is Rusty feeling?” And even last night, Rusty was excited to see his pal, Uncle Phil, one last time. You were a great Uncle Reggie!!

He got so much love from his grandparents. My Dad just loved him (so did Mom), and both he and Ma took good care of him when they watched our two boys after school and when we’d go away. And oh boy did his Nonna love him to pieces. And cared for him just like Anna. Like he was hers. Watching her say goodbye to him was heart-wrenching. She truly loved him.

Thanks to Izzy, Sue, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Cathy (who we Facetimed last night) for spending the final night with us. You were all important to him, and we are grateful for the love you gave to our Russman.

I put this video together to share some of the memories we had with Rusty from Day 1 until last night. I cried most of the time, making it…but they were happy tears. Because, as sad as I am right now, he gave me/us the best 17 years of our lives. He was a trooper; he made it through so much, and all the while had that sparkle in his eyes. Unfortunately, it’s fading, he is in pain, and he can barely walk. We just want him to find the peace he deserves. Free of pain. And we have an ocean full of memories that will undoubtedly make us cry as they come rushing back but they will also make us laugh. I know I couldn’t help but laugh as I put this video together. What a character!

As Rusty Young (the other Rusty) from Poco once wrote: “I’ll be missing you, one tear at a time”. You’ll be in our hearts forever, Rusty.

Grandpa will be waiting for you on one knee and open arms (as he always was) when you get there. I hope you get to see Nonno and all of our family, as well as your doggie cousins Lucy and Coooper. I’ll think of you in the summer as I stare up from my floatie and look for you in the clouds! It’ll always be your backyard!!

See ya on the other side, Maestro?
❤️ Rusty, Russman, Rustaroo, Rusty Bucket, Russmussen, Russell….my boy!!

? #FamilyForever