A Home For Rufus

Rufus was an Owner Surrender. His family gave him up... because he “barked too much.” It’s funny… because ever since they dumped him nearly 4 months ago, Rufus has lived with me. And I’ve never once heard him “bark too much.”

I have, however, had a problem with Rufus being way too awesome for me to accurately describe in words. I’ve had the pain-in-the-ass issues of him being way too loving, far too sweet, and beyond freaking friendly. Damn… I hate when that happens. It’s like: "Umm... What the hell is wrong with you, Mister Nice Dog? You’re not even gonna bite my hand or anything? Useless!!!" (Hence, the SARCASM. It's the underlying theme of this post)

Rufus is a 100 lb., Lab/Dane mix. He’s HUGE. But I’ve never met a bigger teddy bear… there’s never been a more gentle, loving soul. Gosh… I really hate when the "sweet dogs "come in! A well-behaved, gorgeous dog with a great personality? Yeah… I’m gonna pass. I’m holding out for mischief, homely, and aggression.

With Rufus, it’s been a real uphill battle (obviously, more sarcasm). I’ve had to deal with a dog who loves to play with other pups… a real jerk who’s never met another dog he didn’t like. Well, okay... there was this one dog… of which Rufus wasn’t a fan. But in his defense, she ferociously humped him A LOT… and it was kinda scary for him. He likes it when women are more subtle… you know, play hard-to-get. So he’d run and hide from her… though she was half his size. What a vicious, mean, barking boy he is!

Rufus is such a bad boy, that he’s actually been my “control dog” for temperament testing other rescue dogs. His calm, submissive, friendly disposition was so "deplorable" ... that I didn’t have much use for him… other than to make him the most useful, treasured dog I had. But even with the additional responsibility of greeting the new guests, he never once complained. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to say: "Son, know your role! Whine already! Pitch a fit! Boycott! Or at the very least, freaking attack somebody! I signed up for a LOUD BARKING DOG! Friendliness and following directions will not be tolerated in this household, young man! Go to your room, and don’t come out until I hear you BARKING! Do you hear me?!"

Rufus behaves so well... it's actually super-ridiculous. Every day, I’ve had to watch him politely listen and obey as I said, “Sit.”

Ummm… what the crap was that? You aren’t supposed to DO the trick! When I say, “Sit,” you’re supposed to dance around, jump all over me, claw my face, then run away. DON’T YOU KNOW ANYTHING?!?!?! Ugh! The smart, well-behaved ones are the WORST!!!

Every time I’d say, “Rufus, Come,” he’d come. Every time I’d say, “Rufus, Stay,” he’d stay. Every time I’d say, “Rufus, Kennel,” he’d go into his kennel. Seriously dude, you gotta be kidding me with this crap... Where's all the "misbehavior" I agreed to take-on from you??

On car trips, he’d politely sit in the backseat and enjoy the ride… never once making a peep. I swear, the quiet ones are THE WORST! Bark, damnit! Whine! Cry! Howl at the moon, for freak’s sake! All this freaking peace and quiet… ENOUGH, ALREADY!!! (clearly, more sarcasm)

I've had to put up with all of Rufus’ love and affection… and let’s be honest… it’s just not necessary. Cuddle time on the couch with a sweet, happy dog? Um… yeah, I’m busy. Loving kisses and special snuggles? I prefer biting and hatred, but that’s just me. Fun, outdoor playtime with an awesome pup? Um… is death an option for me here… or no?

Every single day—that’s 7 days a week for almost 4 months—I have been with Rufus. And every day, Rufus has happily and lovingly greeted me, not with a bark, but with a kiss and a gentle nudge. I never once saw him without a smile on his face. I never once saw him misbehave. I never once saw any inclination of why a family would ever give-up this precious, amazing dog. I never once understood how they could do such a thing… especially not to Rufus.

Every single person who has met Rufus over the last 4 months—and there have been many—has said, “What a cool, awesome dog! He’s so sweet! So gorgeous! So well-behaved!” Those words were always followed by, “If I could adopt another dog, I’d take Rufus!”

I thought the same thing myself --on a daily basis.

But for nearly 4 months, no one ever adopted Rufus. Until now…

An amazing family in Cheyenne, Wyoming contacted me about Rufus, and honestly, I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect fit for my big angel. Following their adoption approval, I worked on setting up transport from Lucky Dog Rescue in Meridian, MS to his new family in Cheyenne, WY. An amazing anonymous donor made that happen. Rufus was taken in a private shuttle, direct to his new home.

 Letting him go was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I said goodbye, with a tear and a smile. The tear was for me; the smile was for Rufus.

And today… Rufus arrived. Today, Rufus got home. Today, Rufus became a treasured member of the Opsal family… forever.
Today, my baby… became their baby…

Rufus has given me so many gifts along the way, and leading him home is the best way I could repay him. I was his bridge… from the forgotten to the remembered… and he was my constant reminder… of why I do what I do.

Thank you, Rufie, for always making me smile. Thank you for always kissing my tears. Thank you, for loving me so deeply, that I could always feel it in my soul. Thank you for accepting me, for all that I am, and all that I’m not. Thank you for making me a better person, just because I knew you.  

In case I never see you again, know this: For a girl in Mississippi, you changed everything. I didn’t give you away. I just decided to share you.

Rufus giving me kisses

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