In memorium to a good friend of fifteen years. [View All]

We lost our Rudy - a miniature schnauzer - today after a long, slow decline the last two weeks of which were spent at the vet with IVs running to try to restore his electrolytes to balance. To no avail. The vet said he thinks it was kidney cancer, but at least he wasn't in pain, just not well.

At my age it's a bit of a shock to find out my tear ducts still function. I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but my cheeks are wet anyway. It makes you wonder why we do this to ourselves. We certainly know the day we bring a pet home that this day will come. Sooner or later. But still we forget the pain of the loss and jump right into the joy of a new found love with a creature that has more love to share than most of humanity can claim. And eventually the day does come that we have to say goodbye so we do it silently because the lump in the throat won't let the words past.

We remember those special times when his personality first showed itself. Like the time fourteen years ago when my wife brought me home from the hospital after heart bypass surgery. As soon as she got me to bed to recuperate, Rudy joined me, lay pressed against my hip all the while I recovered. That's when he earned the nickname 'Nurse' Rudy. But he was really named after Rudy Valley because he just loved to sing. Anyone singing on the radio, TV, CD, it didn't matter. He sang along.

Rudy, you were one of God's special creatures, put here to make life bearable for we imperfect humans. You will remain in our hearts while we breath, and we will honor you by adopting another of your cousins and naming him for you.

We ask for the prayers of those who read this so that you may have an easy trip across the Rainbow Bridge.