Dusty #2’s Story

My precious Dusty, you left us and returned to Heaven and to your best friend, Homer, only two days ago.  Your departure has left a huge void in our home and an empty space in our hearts.  You were in perfect health all the years that you lived with us, the only exception being the heartworm disease you brought with you when you first came into our lives so long ago.  We were surprised when the vet estimated your age to be at least 4 years old when we picked you up that day.  That would have made you 18 years old when you returned to Heaven.  Three months ago when you had your annual physical, all your tests came back with very good results.  Then a month ago your kidneys failed and for the first time, your health deteriorated.  Then you told us it was time for you to go.  You lived a good and very happy life, but that life had to end and a new life would begin for you at the Bridge.

You were always considered to be the wise one of our pack.  You would always sit quietly and watch everything that was going on, never interfering and always accepting whatever was handed to you.  You were the foster Mom to all the young puppies that passed through our home over the years.  Those puppies sure enjoyed pulling on your long beautiful fur, sometimes pulling it right out, but you never complained.  

We felt so helpless as we watched you grieve for Homer when he had a heart attack and went to Rainbow Bridge back in 2001.  You and Homer were obviously together for a long time before we met you both on that highway in 1996.  After Homer’s death you really didn’t bond with any of the other dogs in the way you did with Homer.  But you certainly did bond with John and me.  

My sweet girl, you were so very special to us.  The most important reason we feel this way is the fact that you chose us to spend your life with.  We will always remember you and keep you alive in our hearts.

Dusty’s original story continues below…

Dusty just kind of walked into our lives with Homer (See Homer’s Story) one morning in February of 1996.  We were driving along a busy highway and noticed them walking across a field toward the highway.  Homer jumped right in the car whereas Dusty was a bit more cautious.  She wasn’t about to leave her friend, Homer, so she didn’t try and escape when John went out to pick her up.   She seemed to relax as soon as she got in the car.  She also seemed very relieved to finally be off the street.

Dusty wasn’t in real good physical condition when we picked her up.  We could tell she resembled a Sheltie-Australian Shepherd-Border Collie mix.  We immediately noticed she also resembled our first Dusty (See Dusty 1’s Story)  We named her Dusty before we even got back to the house because of this strong resemblance.

It appeared that Dusty had very recently been a mother.  Could this have been the reason she no longer had a home and where were the puppies?  I can only hope that the puppies had already been weaned and transferred to homes of their own.  Dusty and Homer were both very well trained and very obedient so I have to believe that they both had a very good home with caring people before their misfortune of becoming lost.   Then the question remains about why didn’t anyone call to inquire about the ad I placed in the Lost and Found section of the newspaper.  I guess these are all questions that will never be answered.

We took Dusty to the vet for a complete checkup.  She was underweight and her hair was thinned out with many bald patches.  She was diagnosed as heartworm positive and had to undergo treatments immediately.

After Dusty recovered from the heartworm treatments and was put on a nutritious diet, her hair became full and very long.  She became a beautiful dog.  We can only estimate her age but we believe she is now close to 10 years old.  Fortunately, the heartworm disease didn’t do any permanent damage.

Dusty is a very loyal and loving dog just as her companion, Homer, was.  She loves to travel in the car, even if it’s just to the corner store.  I believe  that she doesn’t care where she is, as long as she’s near her family.  She will never have to live the life of a stray again.

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Click Below For Reno’s Story