Going home

Today, in a Japanese pogoda with a patio overlooking the East China Sea, my dog Rudy, wandered through heaven's gates and took up residence in her eternal home. I know that there are dogs in heaven because it could never be the perfect eternal home for God's children if there were no dogs. Joe and I cried and patted and rubbed her as she ascended. She is sleeping in the sun on the patio of her new home.

Eight months ago Rudy was diagnosed with a chest tumor and the vet gave her two weeks to live. She has been going down, but we have spoiled and loved her everyday we had her. I really wanted to be a cowardly pet owner and let her continue to deteriorate, so that I would not have to make a hard decision. But, someone who is a great animal lover told me that a dog who has enjoyed a good life, deserves a good death. I noticed this week that Rudy had blood in her urine. I knew that it was time.

Rudy had been my very faithful companion. She helped me survive a very bad divorce where all I wanted to do was sleep and never get up. She would put her paws on the side of my bed and poke me until I got up and took her out. When my children moved to another state and I moved to Texas, she helped me cope with agony of missing them and the horrible loneliness. When Joe came into our lives eight years ago, she loved him and I know he loved her. He would make her take a bath, whether she thought she needed one or not. And, she really did need a bath.

Rudy was born the island of Okinawa, Japan on April 15, 1993. She was eleven days shy of her 16th birthday. She came to live with me and my family when she was six weeks old.

Rest in heaven's sunshine, Rudy Pudy.