Rusty

They had this funny habit: Rusty I loved how you always insisted on pooping in/on bushes, it always amused family/friends when we would go on walks. I remember when we moved to the Southwest into a big city, and you had to start pooping on succulents because there were no longer lush bushes to poop on. I miss taking you on walks and watching you poop in weird places.

The day we met, I was 19, in undergrad, and moving into my first apartment. I went to the Humane Society with my mom to meet a completely different dog, which ended up not working out. My mom suggested I take you for a walk because you looked so sweet and you were just sitting there politely and not barking. I took you on that walk, and immediately fell in love with you (how could I not, after watching you awkwardly poop in a bush). I truly believe we were/are soul connected. I'm so glad things didn't work out with that other dog, because I would have never met you. We were meant to be in each others lives. The stars aligned for us and I am so grateful that I got to be your mommy.

✎ How did they get their name?
When I first adopted Rusty, his name was Beethoven, which did not suit him at all (he didn't even respond to it). I chose his name Rusty because he has little "rusty" patches on his fur. He ended up with the nicknames: Rusty Bear, Rust Bucket, Rusty Butt (among others). I miss my Rusty Bear so much.