Ode to the Diggler

Rusty Bruce Paco Anderson (aka the Diggler) was our dog for the last 2 1/2 years. He was a good dog - high energy, loyal, cuddly, and athletic. As soon as we moved into a house my husband said we had to get a dog. He became a part of our family. Now, I don't want to bore you with all the details, but through a series of unfortunate events (stupid mean Lucas dog) and poor training on my part and lack of male figure last summer - our sweet dog became a little aggressive. The straw that broke the camels back happened a few weeks ago when he nipped at Emery. He didn't break the skin and it wasn't super vicious - but it was something that we could not tolerate with a small child. So, we weighed our options which were put him down or find him a new home. We didn't have the heart to put him down - so we searched and searched for a new home. Finally, a friend of ours from school, who has another dog, decided to take Rusty, as he wanted a friend for his dog. We were so relieved and he came and got him on Wed.

Now, I cannot lie. While I loved Rusty - he also drove me absolutely crazy sometimes. I never grew up with a dog (any dog we had never lasted past a 2 week trial) and I was not stoked on having a dog in the house. He got in our face or tried to get on our lap, or scratched on the back door to get in. My husband likes to joke around while he is annoying me that if he died I would miss these little nuisances. Well, he is right - and that applies to the dog as well. Now that the Diggler is gone I miss him and all the little things that bugged me almost seem endearing. So, here is an ode to the Diggler, we miss you buddy.

• Rememer all the mornings you would wake me up with your cold nose in my face. Then scratch on the door to let you out.
• I had to mop up after feeding Emery for the first time as you weren't there to lick up the crumbs.
• We miss giving you our plates when we were finished so you could eat off the fat and the gravy.
• I miss you sitting on my feet to keep my toes warm and fighting me for the heater.
• When you used to stand by the window watching as I pulled into the driveway anxious to say hello.
• You always had to sit on my lap everytime I sat on the floor, even when I was pregnant and didn't have a lap to sit on.
• Everytime my phone would ring in the other room, you would race me to get there first.
• Protecting us from the nutria on our walks by the river
• You loved to put a paw up to try to sneak on the couch while we were sitting there watching TV
• Everytime I would get on the floor to do sit up you would think that was your cue to wrestle.
• If we got up and danced you jumped up to play
• No matter where you were you came flying into the kitchen if you heard a can being opened or the crinkle of the Fritos bag.
  

Ok, my list could go on forever. I love you Rusty and hope you will be happy with your new home and new friend Raider.