Rudy's Choice

It's not always easy to write, at least for me.  Some days are just average, and my undisciplined drive to write just isn't there.  Today, Rudy gave me a reason.  But before Rudy....

It's mid-summer in the Central Valley and today will push near 96 degrees.  As I drive up the road to work I come across my mentor Tom, walking our beautiful pain in the butt dog Katie.  Katie is a tall dark Catahoula, sleek coat, and very athletic. She can out swim most humans I imagine, and Tom always ends her play time with a dip in the pool.  I ask Tom why he's here today and he tells me his golfing plans got washed out so he decided to come in.  I smile at Tom and tell him I'll see him in a bit.  As I continue driving I wonder if Tom's telling me the complete truth, or is he feeling the same black cloud I feel, slowly approaching, threatening to put an end to our wonderful summer days with the dogs. 

We received news yesterday afternoon that our shelter may cease to exist before the end of the summer.  Our boss has done everything humanly possible to keep us open, risking everything for these dogs and the work she loves doing.  I admire this woman because she has been carrying this burden silently for so long while continuing to work tirelessly for these lovely creatures that God has put in her care.  But banks and lenders are cold.  They don't have hearts, they have vaults, and they want them full.  

We are lucky today because Veronica has joined us and we can get more dogs walked.  I walk Georgia while Tom and Veronica entertain our three little dogs.  Georgia has tender paws lately so we keep her off the gravel and stick to the dirt and asphalt.  Even Georgia is extra sweet today, not once complaining or mouthing my hands.  I move on to Ringo the German Shepherd while Tom and Veronica go to see the new puppies to take pictures.  I hope we stay open long enough to see the pups adopted.  Ringo is silent and sure as always, muscles rolling with each stride.  I wish just once that dog would give me a kiss.

The sun is beating down now, and if it wasn't for a slight breeze I would not have ventured one last walk, but I decide to go get Rudy.  I've talked of Rudy before, a four year old Beagle from another shelter who boards with us.  Rudy came to us with a bad reputation.  Legend has it he bit someone quite severely in the face and so would probably never be adopted out. 
My boss gave me permission to work with Rudy several months ago so I try and get him out when time allows.  Rudy greets me with wild tail wags and a Beagle smile.  He doesn't care how hot it is he just wants to go, and so we do.  Midway through our walk we stop to rest under the shade of an oak tree.  I sweat and he happily pants. 

We get back to the shelter and I take Rudy into the play yard where I can unleash him.  Rudy dashes off to track all the other dog scents while I seek refuge under our canopy.  Soon Rudy joins me and I take turns throwing balls and tug ropes out into the yard so Rudy can run them down and bring them back.  Rudy rolls around the ground and ends up on his back while he rests against my leg.  On our way back into the kennel Crystal is feeding the dogs and she asks if I want to take Rudy's food with me back to his pen.  I say yes and Rudy and I make our way back to the outside pen.  Once inside I decide to place Rudy's food bowl on top of the dog igloo while I say goodbye to him.  I wasn't sure if Rudy would take offense at me petting him while he ate.  I give Rudy a few pats and back away while placing his food bowl on the ground.  Rudy starts to go for the food but stops and walks over to me, placing his head against my leg.  Rudy chose me over food.  I kneel down and put my arms around Rudy, holding him close to me.  I find myself apologizing to him profusely for something that hasn't happened yet.  As tears begin to well in my eyes I forget about Rudy's past and I rest my face against his, feeling his warm breath on my neck.  There's a noise and through blurred eyes I can see that Crystal has come outside to feed the other dogs.  I wipe my eyes and stand, saying my goodbyes to Rudy.  At least we had today Rudy, at least we had today.