Ruby was our first and most likely our last attempt at private adoption. A wonderful 9 year old sweetheart with no medical, social or senior issues,  she was a perfect candidate for adoption when she was 8 years old. She came back after a year due to poor judgment on my part in her placement. Because of her age we decided she didn't need to live anywhere else.

Originally  she came to us for adoption because she was displaced in a divorce. Though very loved she needed re-homing to get the attention she needed. I agreed with her owner that he was doing the right thing and it was heart wrenching for him to give her up. Ruby had been with him since she was a pup and it was hard on them both. Dogs are much more resilient than we are though and she bounced back very well.

Ruby has only been with us since April of 2006 but I can tell you she is a dreamboat, a talker, and player of bouncy games, a love bucket who just lives to cuddle up for a good snooze with someone she loves. She likes her comforts... sofas, beds, big chairs... this girl doesn't do floors! She does love grass ...she tries not to go a day without a good long nap in the grass. In summer its a 5 minute long nap, but she is not complaining.

She loves her people and must follow us everywhere, no matter if its just out the laundry line or the mailbox. She loves to help in the garden and drink out of the hose. She is a keeper that is for sure! So much love! She gets along with all our dogs and cats and she loves watching the Hamsters and Prairie Dogs play in their enclosures. She is addicted to Hamster TV.

Update:

Ruby fast became my husband's favorite, enjoying all the love and attention of the highly favored.  Daddy's Dog Status is prized and many dogs compete for his attentions.

Update:

Ruby suffered a spinal embolism October 31st 2006. Paralyzing her left rear leg and tail. Taking her from vet to vet we were given the opinion by most to end her life or amputate her leg. We chose not to do either one.

Ruby was such a fighter, she came back again and again gaining ground time after time. She wanted to live and she wanted all her limbs.  She lost bowel and bladder control as well, but within a few weeks she was back to doing her chores on her own time schedule.

After a few months she regained some use of her left leg, but her right leg shriveled and at times could not hold her weight. Glad we didn't amputate.

 We were rookies at all of this, so we made mistakes. Her left foot drug the ground and our uneducated attempts to bandage her foot resulted in too tight wraps, causing pressure sores. But Ruby wanted to walk, she wanted her independence so we learned, stitched her up, got better at bandaging and did our best to keep her from getting infections. She still got them, of course, and she allowed us to nurse her back time and again.

We bought her a wheelchair, but it hurt her good rear leg to be in it. We bought her braces they didn't work. We finally by trial and error used a stainless steel  kitchen spatula and an ordinary serving spoon to create a brace to keep her foot bent into a walking position so she could take a real step instead of dragging. Breakthrough!

Ruby took off all over the place. She bounced, she played. We moved our bed downstairs months ago so Ruby could sleep with Daddy. She hopped in and out of bed, no problem. We feel we got this thing licked!  BTW...She would sleep with me, except once she is in there's no room for me. I sleep on the sofa.

September 2007

The toll on her leg is beginning to show. Ruby has begun chewing her bandages and foot trying to chew it off. We watched her constantly, but again the world still turns the phone still rings and you know it only takes a short time for a determined dog.

I set an alarm to go off every 10 minutes so I can check her around the clock to be sure she is not going after her bandages. She even has to wear a muzzle at times. Reality is  banging on our door but we are not listening.

November 17, 2007

Ruby dispensed with the formalities of getting her bandages off and just chewed right through them. Her foot was destroyed, no toes, and not just exposed bone but bone with no meat at all. She is telling us she is done. She doesn't want to go out but once a day for the last 2 days. Still eating well.  I am so exhausted I cannot think straight. This year has really taken a toll on me.  There is no coming back from this kind of damage. Nothing to walk on. I would blame myself but I just can't. I am so tired from all that needs doing, I know I couldn't have prevented it on how little sleep I am getting. I can only watch her so much. Ruby went from being my dear partner in her recovery to being my saboteur. I know she is doing what she thinks is best, but as I saw the damage I could only whisper to my courageous girl, "Baby, I think you just killed yourself."

My gut tells me Ruby did this to get my fogged  in brain to pay attention. She is done fighting on our side.

Our family realizing this was beyond us and knowing we had been function beyond the help of vets for a long year, did not rush to the vets who offered no hope a year ago, but spent the afternoon with Ruby outside in the autumn sunshine watching leaves fall on her blanket and butterflies land on her. Taking pictures and telling her stories. Enjoying our "lasts" Last meal, last drink, last brushing, last outside, until there was no more last things to do except her last car ride and...

Her last breath was taken with her head in Jack's lap, my arms around her, head on her chest, and Dillon holding her face and paw.

There is a huge hole in our hearts, bed and life.

Ruby was a spectacle...  like fireworks on the 4th. Over too soon.

Farewell,  Inventor of Hamster TV, Queen of our waterbed.

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