Rustina is in Doggy Heaven.

Rustina

Age 13, ~1996 - December 21, 2009

Nickname: Rusty

There will never be another dog quite like Rusty. She was gentle, kind, loving, affectionate, laid back, well mannered and a snuggler. She loved sleeping in the bed with us and of course, under the blankets! she loved her new baby brother Chance.. She loved going to her Granny's to visit and to see her cousins Pongo and Annie. She had an extra special 9 months with me being home for 12 weeks while on maternity leave and most recently with Bill working from home with his new job. She went on several car rides with us, she'd go through the drive up window at Dunkin Donuts for a munchkin. Making the decision to decide what to do is hard, a very hard decision which I wouldn't wish on anyone. My heart was broken, today, it aches, and it seems so lonely without her.

Rusty touched allot of people. She certainly changed peoples mind in the typical stereotyping that pitbulls are mean dogs. As soon as we had company she was on the couch with them to cuddle up close and snuggle and schmooze for a tummy tickle or to be petted.
I will always love you Rustina and you will always be my number one girl!

Just A Dog:

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it's just a dog,” or, “that's a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,” but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's “just a dog,” then you will probably under-stand phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”“

Just a dog brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.”

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they “just don't understand.”
- Authored by Richard A. Biby