Rusty "Good-Boy" Vensel

Rusty crossed the Rainbow Bridge October 18, 2021. He refused to be denied from adopting his Daddy Dave at a feed store holding a dog pound adoption event in August 2012 where Dave had no intention of adopting a dog. We owe our forever gratitude to ‘Sarah’ from the dog pound who recognized the immediate bond and match, then went above and beyond reasonable effort to overcome Dave’s reluctance and facilitate the adoption. Labelled a ‘runner’ before his adoption, Rusty still made a few jail-break runs from his new forever home but always returned within minutes after a dash around neighbors’ houses then returning back to his own front door.

From day-one, Rusty became companion and shadow to Dave at home and eagerly greeting his Daddy at the door when Dave returned from being away, often bearing one of his toys or his food dish! Rusty loved and trusted car rides when he learned they always brought him back home. He accompanied his Daddy to Packard Band Lawn Concerts, often begging to make new acquaintances and share in their treats!

Rusty loved to “go for a walk” around the block several times a day greeting everyone he met, begging attention and being complimented for his good looks and personality. He made friends with ‘Doc’ always looking to see if he was on his porch as we walked by and when he was, insisting we stop. He even started asking to go out about the time each night he expected Doc to be there!   Rusty spent hours on that porch at ease like it was his own.  Rust was not aggressive but assumed protective custody when grandkids were in the house, answering the door like he meant business, forsaking his usual sleeping space to spend nights in front of their doorways, even alerting their Grammy when any of them got up through the night. His Mommy Becky discovered his love for treats, especially carrots, teaching him over 12 tricks plus counting his vocabulary to be over 60 words and phrases.

With arrival of a ‘Love Vincent’ care and comfort gift box for dogs and cats with terminal cancer in his last two months, he adopted new toys and learned their names: Dino / Dinosaur, Blue-Chew and Turkey!

Rusty fought the good fight against his cancer, ever patient, never faltering in the unconditional love he brought into our home, family and all he met. He was and will ever be: The Good-Boy Dog.

We could learn a lot from our dogs.

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