Rusty "Buckets" Marshall, My Friend, My Companion
Born 3-7-1996, claimed me on 4-10-1996, Laid down for Final Rest on 4-10-2010
My Best Friend and Buddy, I found Rusty in a litter of 11 other Chocolate Lab puppies on 4-10-1996. Rusty picked me as soon as I stepped into the pen; the other puppies ignored me. Rusty spent the next 4 years with me other than an hour or so here and there traveling. As I was in construction management Rusty went to work with me each day as we traveled around the country. No matter how bad my day may have been, Rusty always made it better. Everyone that came into contact with him immediately fell in love with him just as I did. Rusty spent his last 10 years assisting me in caring for my 85 year old Mother who has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. We know he spoiled at least one attempted break in sending the would be robbers high tailing. Most visitors quickly learned that it was not a good idea to get between Rusty and Mother and he would let them know with a gentle nip. Rusty never minded being anywhere as long as he was with us. When we would eat, Rusty would lay under the Kitchen table just in case he needed to clean up a food mess. One good thing about Rusty was that he never begged for food, that was unless we were eating Ice Cream. When he heard the spoon hit the bottom of the Ice Cream bowl he knew it was time for him to finish cleaning the bowl. Rusty always ate his breakfast when we ate ours and he always knew his "Granny", my Mother had his Breakfast Milk Bone and he would quietly sit looking at her then at me just in case she might forget. Rusty went on every vacation we took as he loved nothing better than riding in the vehicle. When I would leave Rusty in the vehicle, he would watch where I went and would never take his eyes off the door. He would always patiently wait for me to come back. When I would leave him at the house he would always position himself where he could watch the road for me to come home. He always greeted me with a tail wag and many barks. Rusty was defiantly part of the family and I talked to him just like he was. There was not doubt in my mind that Rusty understood exactly what I told him. Rusty knew many tricks but his favorite thing was to save a drowning stick from the water. Rusty was great with all kinds of other animals, cats, birds, ferrets, deer, turkeys, rabbits, other dogs and any other wild life he came in contact with on the farm. Rusty did not know he was a dog and I think that is what made him such a great companion. Rusty always did whatever I asked of him. Rusty you will be missed and as I promised you, you will never be forgotten. As I told you while you were alive, there will be other Chocolate Lab Rusty's (2. 3. 4. etc) but there will never be one that will replace you. You will live in my heart forever and your ashes will remain with me through life and death as they will be buried with me one day. Rusty, you were a True Friend and I will miss you very much until we meet at Rainbow Bridge and go to Heaven together. I Love you Buddy.