Rusty - Dancing again in the spirit world

Many people who have visited Red Lake Rosie's Rescue have met Rusty, a female shepherd that lived at the uphouse. Rusty came here as a rescue dog before Red Lake Rosie's was a reality.


In the fall of 1998, this girl lived at the curve of the road going into Red Lake. She entertained people by dragging plastic bags in her mouth and spinning circles. She became known as the plastic dog.

Dr. Mitby and some staff at the Red Lake Hospital would drop her food and treats as she was a homeless dog whom everyone got to know and love. One day Polly called Karen at work and said that the Conservation Department was planning on shooting Rusty because there were complaints that she would cause an accident by her antics of running across the highway with the hefty bags.

So Karen, that very day on her way home from work found Rusty, scooped her up and put her in the pickup truck and off to the west boundary where she made her home.

The hospital staff took up a collection and helped Rusty get spayed and vaccinated. Rusty had visitors in those early years from Dr. Mitby and even a vanload of elders came out one day to see her. She was a legend in Red Lake and everyone knew her.

Once at the shelter she graduated from plastic to tarps--so we had to hide all the tarps. Then it was rocks, and finally, the last few years she ended up loving tennis balls. Her special friends were Barbara Bowman, Nancy O'Sullivan and Carolyn May.

Our dear Rusty entered the spirit world this morning, November 30 at 11:30 am.

She passed away at home laying on a blanket with her ball. She has been ill for a while with dwindling appetite, and finally quite drinking water and broth last night.

It is a very sad day here as all the other dogs were sad too, and Julie laid beside her last night. It was as if they all knew.

I let you know because each and every one of you especially loved Rusty --she is in heaven now--chasing balls.

Karen

NANCY ALSO WROTE:
Has Karen sent you info on the recent loss of her beloved Rusty?
Karen tells the story behind Rusty's rescue the best so it needs to come
from her, but I wanted to share this photo of Rusty. She was never
without a tennis ball.....one of the sweetest little girls on the face
of the earth. She was deeply loved.

Nancy O'Sullivan