July 16, 2006

Dear All Pets Rescue,

We are all so very happy to have Rusty with us! He loves everyone in the family - and the extended set of family and friends - and is truly the companion dog I was looking for. I am his person, much to the dismay of the rest of my family, and he follows me everywhere. He even pokes around looking for me if he wakes from a nap and finds I have left the room. He's been on several hikes in the woods (which he loves), lots and lots of walks, and wading in a lake. He jumps in the car with me nearly every day for errands of some sort. He's also trying desperately to be friends with our cat, Magic, but since he chased her the very first time he saw her, she's holding a grudge. Time will tell, but meanwhile she has an entire floor to herself and he is very curious as to what exactly is behind that off-limits door. 

My son Alex and I gave him a bath, and he looked absolutely gorgeous by the end of it. He knew just what to do and was very patient through the whole thing. He lets us brush him and clean his ears, and puts up with having his feet wiped clean if it's muddy outside. Our friends cannot believe what a well trained, friendly, handsome dog we managed to find!

Here are some things we've discovered that Rusty knows from his former family: We were in hysterics when we discovered that he sings Happy Birthday! Not any other song on the radio, not Twinkle Little Star, nothing - just Happy Birthday. Howls full-force with his nose in the air. 

Obviously, we are all delighted to have him. There could be no better dog for me as my "first dog" and I feel so lucky to have found him. Thank you and your group for being so good at helping create these relationships. 

This is Rusty after a bath, blow drying, and brushing. What a patient guy!

Anna