The Story of Rusty the Doberman

This is a story about a red Doberman Pinscher named Rusty. He was very much loved and respected by all the Dobermans in the kennel.

"My name is Thunder and I am a Doberman. Sit right down and pull up a chair. I am going to tell you the story about Rusty the Doberman, the grandest Doberman of them all. Rusty was born on a cool Spring morning, on May 20th, 2002. He was born near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Oh, it was a beautiful day. I remember it well.

I was in the bin directly across from Rusty. He and I were cousins and I was a little older so I remember him as a pup. Rusty was of average size and he was a pretty laid back pup, although if he needed something he spoke up with a loud bark!

As Rusty grew up, I could see him playing with the other pups. He always settled the others down when they got too rowdy. When they were playing "dog tag", if somebody was out and they disagreed, Rusty made the final decision. Nobody dared to challenge him, even then. Rusty and I would occasionally sit together and watch the younger pups play. All the puppies respected him. Even the older dogs in the kennel would talk about him. I heard them say at dinner one night that Rusty would be the founding sire of his very own kennel one day. Wow, what an awesome honor that would be!!

On a sunny day in July, a couple came to our kennel and picked Rusty to come live with them. I did not know it then, but those people wanted Rusty to be the first sire for their new kennel. It was like he was going to be King of the Kennel! Oh, what a bittersweet day that was for all of us. All the dogs knew this was a great chance for Rusty, yet we were sad to see him leave us, and I lost my best friend.

Rusty the Doberman was growing up and soon we heard rumors that he had in fact sired his first litter of Doberman puppies. I was so happy, I accidently left a puddle! Oops!! There was a celebration in our kennel that night like none before. We played games all night and talked about Rusty.

We heard how Rusty was so brave and his owners even brought him into their home to live as part of the family. Could this get any better? Rusty was nice to everybody. He would always take a step back and take a good hard look at a stranger and then come forward wagging his tail once he determined the person was not a threat. He knew the difference.

One of the older dogs in the kennel heard Rusty was coming back to visit. Wow, we were so excited! (I did not leave a puddle this time). Then we heard the most terrible news. Rusty had died. I cried all that day and all night. It was a cold, rainy September day, a few years after Rusty had left our kennel to go to his new home, when he became violently ill. Nobody really knows what happened, but we were told that Rusty the Doberman had died peacefully.

No one played that day. We were all so shocked and saddened by the loss of our friend. He became a hero in our eyes. It was the saddest day of my life. Little did I know, it would also change my life forever.

We found out the rumor that Rusty was coming to visit our kennel wasn't exactly correct. It was Summer, the dam of his kennel and she was coming to meet one of those snobby champions. Those champs from Europe bark with funny accents and the dams just love them. Well, Summer was going to be here for a week and I got a big surprise when I found out the owners of the kennel were also looking for a boy dog to fill his paws. When they picked me, I tell you, I almost dropped over from the shock! Oh my gosh, I was going to the kennel were Rusty had lived.

I was nervous that the pups at Rusty and Summers kennel would not like me. After all, I was there to fill the paws of the smartest and toughest dog that I ever knew. He had a reputation for being fair, gentle and meaner than a junk yard dog when there was a stranger in the area. Everyone loved and respected Rusty. I was a bit anxious about meeting the owners but they were very nice to me. I was given the name "Thunder". When I got to my new home, it was very quiet and somber. I knew I had a lot to learn and I really wanted to impress Summer. I paid attention and studied the place very hard since I knew they would all be watching me.

The next day, Summer came back from her time with the snobby sires from Europe, but she did not feel well, since she gets car sick, poor girl. We looked at each other and I saw a tear in the corner of her eye. I knew she was still upset about Rusty. I went over to her and licked her nose. She smiled, then laid down and closed her eyes. Soon things started to settle into a pattern. I could tell Summer was expecting puppies so she would play a little, then rest. It would be many weeks before she would be back to normal.

One day after I had been to the vet for a check-up, I walked into the kennel and I felt so proud when I passed the puppies and they got silent and watched me with big eyes as I passed by. I knew that now they looked up to me as the leader of the kennel. Even though Rusty the Doberman will always be a legend, I was earning their respect. And better yet, I hear the younger females giggle when they see me and I hear the whispers, "he is so cute". I passed the biggest test of all when Summer walked up to me, looked me in the eyes and said, "Rusty was my mate. He was a good dog who cared for us all. You had big paws to fill and you have filled them. You are welcome here and I would be proud to have your pups in the Spring". I felt so honored and I never in a million years dreamed my life would be so happy.

So, that is the story of Rusty the Doberman. Now I am also a legend at the kennel were I was born . The older dogs talk of two Dobermans, Rusty and Thunder, while the little pups listen and gaze in wonder, hoping someday they can grow up to be like us.

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Article Tags: About Rusty, Older Dogs, Kennel Were