A Girl And Her Dog

This is one of those posts that will be bittersweet to write but one that I want to share because it’s near and dear to my heart.

Let me start by saying this….at one point in my life, my number one constant was my German Shepherd, Rudi.

I was lucky enough to have such a loyal companion for 12 years before I lost him to a sudden onset of bloat.  Although it was one of the hardest things in my life to lose such a fiercely faithful defender, I will always have a special place in my heart dedicated to the happiest times in my life because of him.

Rudiger das Starke, his full German name, as his AKC papers flaunt. Rudiger the Strong is what it means in English. And a strong fella he was up until the very end of his days.

New Year’s Eve 2004 was the first time I saw that handsome fluffy guy. Bouncing around inside of a box with the rest of his litter mates. I’d always heard “let the pup choose you”.  And so I did.  He ran up to where I was and jumped up to put his paws on the edge of the box and hopped up and down on his back feet.  It was love at first sight with this sweet guy.  I lifted him out of the box and that’s where this friendship began.

On the drive home, I remember not knowing if he was going to be a “Jack” or a “Rudi” but finally settled on Rudi.  Got out of the car in front of the house and put him in the grass to potty and he instantly just sat at my feet and looked up at me.  I’d walk a few feet away and he’d bound over to where I was just to sit next to me again.  It was fate.  He was going to be my defender, my protector and my best friend.

I dedicated time to obedience training (which he landed first place) and a little agility training afterwards.  Unfortunately, he had joint issues with his knees from the time he was 3 and underwent two ACL repairs.  After his surgery, you’d never know he was lame and couldn’t walk at one time. Yes, I am one of those doggie mom’s that spent money to have him operated on and I would have  done it again in a heartbeat.  This dog would stand in between me and a bullet if my life was threatened.  I would have done anything to fight for his health in return.

He laid at my feet every night when I sat on the couch. He waited patiently for me to come home everyday.  And he always protected me with his life. Of that I am sure.

So as the saying goes, anyone that thinks diamonds are a girl’s best friend never had a dog like mine.

I love and miss you, Rudi!  I know one day I’ll see you again.