Goodbye, Rusty. You were much beloved.

My wife and I did one of the hardest things we have ever had to do this afternoon. We took our beloved Corgi Rusty to the vet's to be put to sleep. He was 15+ years old and had grown infirm. He had arthritic neuropathy of the hind quarters, causing him to stagger and fall, first one way then the other. It was difficult for him to stand once he fell over. Plus he had become urine incontinent. We hated to end his life because he was still alert and still had his hearing and sight -- he just couldn't walk any more.

Rusty was much beloved and was a truly great dog. A Corgi is an intelligent and affectionate breed. We had 15 wonderful years with him. Those of you who read my poetry know that he was the subject of many of my poems, especially our late night walks together. Rusty will be sorely missed.

Goodbye, Rusty, old fellow, you were a fantastic dog. We grieve for you...

Poor Old Rusty

We live with a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Rusty. Those of you who have followed my poetry for years have read about Rusty several times in my poems. Rusty will be 15 this December 9th, and he is on his last legs literally. His hind legs collapse now when he walks so that his walking consists of a series of falls sideways at the back end. It breaks me heart to see him so old and incapacitated. I know what I will have to do all too soon now... Rusty was always so active, running and jumping so high. Time has treated him cruelly. He acts like an old man in his 60s. Say, I turned 64 yesterday.