Ruffie
Born July 1984
Checking out Heaven January 22, 1999
Beloved friend, pal, and companion of Mike, Sandy, Michael and Brandy
Ruffie was a mixed breed dog that we got from the pound at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Ca in October 1984. He was about 3 months old and since our daughter was born on July 10 we made that Ruffie's birthday too. Ruffie was a bundle of joy and a quick learner. We moved many times and Ruffie always went because he was so much a part of the family. Ruffie and I hiked the South Rim trail in the Grand Canyon and he sat in four states at one time when we went to fours corners. He traveled many miles and lived in many houses in his life but we only had one home.
After I retired he was my constant companion. Always staying near by. The joke with family and friends was that Ruffie and I were always working. We were LOD Services, Lazy Old Dog. We would come to your yard and Ruffie would check it out and then apply just the right amount of special formula number one or number two to the spots that needed them. In November I had to have surgery and Ruffie would sleep in my lap while I was in the recliner.
Little did we know that he was sick. That cancer was growing inside of him. We only had a few weeks from the time we found out until he moved on. On Friday we had done our morning walk and then we went for a ride. We stopped at Burger King, he loved getting a burger when we went out. That day he did his last job for LOD Services, after he finished he just laid down in the grass and he made no effort to move and showed no interest in his burger so I knew the time had come. It was not hard to do because I could tell his time was near and that he was in pain. Sandy came from work and our daughter was with me so we all said our good-byes and I held him as he moved on. I am now waiting to be with him again.
Dog Rules
1.The dog is not allowed in the house.
2.OK, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
3.The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.
4.The dog can get on the old furniture only.
5.Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
6.OK, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
7.The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
8.The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
9.The dog can sleep under the covers every night.
10.Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.