[oot]

I always wanted a dog all my life. When my husband proposed I had several things we had to agree on before I said yes. First - I had to take care of my family no matter what - Second - I wanted a dog. You know, a small non-shedding little lap dog.

So one Thanksgiving day, he decided to give me an early Christmas gift. He walked in with a paper box and this puppy. The dog looked at me like "who on earth are you" and I looked at him like "what the heck is that". Not the little lapdog I had wanted at all - but the hunting dog that my husband liked instead. I was so disappointed, but boy oh boy it only took a day and I was in love with that freckle faced pup.

Rusty was a Brittany - the largest of the bunch. He stood much taller than a normal Brittany - closer to 60 lbs instead of that 45 he should have been. He was my buddy and pal. He hated to be alone - so he ALWAYS had a sitter when we were working. He would come in the bedroom and bounce his head against the bed when he wanted to go outside - then twist his head like "come on come on". He was so funny!

He was a diabetic as he got older but it never really slowed him down. He lived several years and tolerated getting shots every day. Never complained - what a good boy!

I don't think there will ever be a crazy dog like Rusty. I had my friend paint a portrait of him from a picture for my husband for Christmas. It was so life-like! My husband could not even look at the picture for a long time.

It is just amazing how one little freckled face pooch could give so much so much love!