R.I.P. BooBoo

We brought you home on Mother's Day. You were AKC registered as Sabita Menanne Borstad. We named you Rusty. We affectionately called you BooBoo. You were this little furball that we just couldn't get enough of. Just a tiny cream colored ball of fluff with red ears.

You made everyone love you at first sight. You were the sweetest thing. Your soft fur absorbed tears better than any towel. A wag of your tail and kisses from your soft, black tongue could brighten even the gloomiest of days. And you were the only dog I've ever known that when given hugs, hugged back.

My grandmother, at the end of her days and in the throws of Alzheimers, couldn't remember my name when we came to visit, but she always remembered yours and asked about you.

You tolerated your little sister, even when she beat the snot out of you.

You thought you were a cat. And you let Harley think he was a dog.

If it had been a while since I had seen you, your eyes lit up when I walked in the door it was all kisses and hugs until I left again.

You were afraid of thunderstorms, but fearless in the face of a snowball.

Basketballs didn't stand a chance around you.

I still remember the day we realized we would need to get a stand-up food and water dish because we found you asleep with your head in your current dish.

I loved you, BooBoo, more than you'll ever know. And your daddy's a dick for not telling me you passed. But I'm in the process of making sure that doesn't happen with your sister.

I can't believe I'll never get another one of your hugs. Or see you make your BooBoo face again. There is an empty hole that will never again be filled in my heart.

You were irreplacable and you will be missed.

Rest In Peace, Rusty.