Russell Clifford Pedersen

Once upon a time....in a state often confused as being "Iowa" but is really "Idaho"...Dave was (for some reason) on the Idaho Humane Society's website when he came across this picture...  

In disbelief that a pure bred Golden Retriever was sitting at the Humane Society, he immediately called to make inquiries.  They confirmed that "Shannon" (a HORRIBLE name for a male dog!) was indeed awaiting adoption.

December 13th, 2004, Shannon (later re-named Rusty) joined the Pedersen household.  Dave arranged everything, unbeknownst to me, and brought him home as an early Christmas present to me....as I LOVE Goldens after growing up with one (Katie).  That night, after we came home from work, he dragged me out into the backyard....and there....in the darkness...I saw the silhouette of a pair of ears that could only belong to a Golden Retriever...followed by a loud bark.

Rusty's 1st night with the Pedersens

He was (as far as the pound knew) 4.5 years old.  He was a pure bred Golden Retriever -- though we think that he had some Irish Setter thrown in there for good measure.  He was 90 lbs (very overweight for a Golden) and he acted like he was 10 years old.  He had a long body and a massive head.  He had been relinquished because his former owners said that he was jumping their 4 foot fence -- yeah right!  He had obviously had a VERY heavy hand used on him because he was terrified of men and would just cower when one (including Dave) came close.  He was the sweetest, most mellow and patient, most beautiful dog ever.  And he was my early Christmas present!

Merry Christmas, Jessica!!

We knew right away that "Shannon" had to go!  We loved his red coloring so we re-named him Rusty. Besides...it was also a good natured dig to my dad's favorite NASCAR driver, Rusty Wallace.  As Dave said...Rusty is a good name....for a dog!!  :)  Hahahaha

Rusty's 1st bath

Unlike Katie, Rusty LOVED the water.  ADORED it!  Couldn't stand to not be in it!  We became regular fixtures at Ann Morrison park where Rusty would swim in the Boise River, chase after squirrels, and run through flocks of geese with Dave.

Swimming in the Boise River

We thought that if he had a playmate, he might act his age.  So, we added Hilde (the Killer Corgi) to our growing zoo and the two became instant best friends.

Chillin' in the back yard

We soon learned Rusty's little quirks.  He liked to play "Rusty Fetch" which meant you threw the ball, he ran after it....and then laid down and you had to retrieve the ball.  :)  He was a complex-carbohydrate loving dog and a loaf of bread was not safe on the kitchen counter (we lost 2 and friends who dog sat for us lost 1).  He also was a very generous dog and loved to share...especially when it was Chocolate Chip cookies (with baker's dark chocolate chips) that he pulled down from the counter as they were cooling and shared with Hilde.  He was extremely talkative and would chase Dave around the couch and bark and talk at him...he sounded like Chewbacca from Star Wars so much that the nurses at the Vet nicknamed him "Chewy".

The old soul

He forgave us when we got the "terrific" idea to shave him in hopes of keeping him cooler in the Boise summer heat!

Such a pathetic look!

He LOVED stuffed animals...but would destroy them in a matter of days.  He also loved visits from Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Jean who missed their Golden Retriever (Katie) and would love on Rusty and spoil him with affection!

He also loved to travel.  So much so that he willingly got into his crate, was loaded on to an airplane, and made the move to Virginia with us!  His aunt (and my good friend), Kelly Kelvie, was sad to see him leave Boise.  She is the one who gave him his official name: Russell (Rusty for Short) Clifford (because he was a bid red dog) Pedersen.  :)

Unsure about Virginia

Sadly, Virginia did not have fenced yards.  Virginia did not have fields full of geese.  Virginia did not have the Boise River to swim in.  BUT...Virginia did have Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg...where employees of Colonial Williamsburg very often had dog treats...or even BACON...in their apron pockets and Rusty soon became a favorite!!!  And just when things were getting good...we moved again...to Richmond and a new house.

Best Friends

I didn't realize it...he was still my Rusty...but time was catching up to my big red dog.  His hearing was going (though he could still miraculously hear the fridge being opened), he was sleeping more and more, and the spark that he used to have just wasn't there anymore.  When we had a huge snow storm 2 years ago and he actually played in the snow, I almost fell over from shock.

Rusty still had many friends everywhere...but as of this summer, he could no longer take long walks through the neighborhood to visit with people.  He had always been amazing with little kids and would lick them and let them tug on his ears and pat him.  He has given Jeffery dozens of kisses and sniffs and it is a shame that Jeffery is just now starting to take an interest in the pets around him.

He still managed to surprise us....like when he decided to become Houdini and continually break free from his locked crate.  :)

However, my big red dog's back legs began to give out and could no longer support his body.  Walks around the block became walks past our neighbors' house and back.  He confined himself to his bed in the living room or his crate at night.  In the mornings....he would look okay but by the evening, he would have me almost in tears at how difficult it was for him to just walk up the few steps we have.  And when he would collapse or fall over, his big sweet eyes would just look at me as if to say "how much longer, momma?".

We put my big, sweet, wonderful, beautiful, gentle, patient, mellow, funny, loving, red dog to sleep today.  I held his head and stroked his whitened face and looked into those big eyes and told him how I loved him and thanked him for being such a wonderful dog and for being a part of our family.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do but I am glad I was there with him at the end.  Hilde is going to be lost without her best friend....she took such good care of him.  But I didn't want him to suffer anymore and I had to do what was best for Rusty.

And now...he can finally meet his cousin Katie and they can play together across the Rainbow Bridge.  We will never forget you, Rusty.  You will be in our hearts always.