Yesterday our wonderful, longtime faithful companion Rudi crossed the rainbow bridge. Our world currently is being flooded with a sea of grief so deep we feel as if we are drowning. Because Sometimes A Dog Is Not Just A Dog. Sometimes a dog is a force so sweet, gentle and caring that he is loved by many. That is truly the case of our dear furry friend.
Sometimes A Dog Is Not Just A Dog
Rudi entered our lives on December 9, 2005. His adoption from a shelter is a story that is absolutely precious. When a dog teaches you to love better.
The story above also tells of how he saved me from a vicious mauling. For that, he earned my eternal love. I became one of those people.
When I began my blog in March of 2008 we had already had Rudi for 3 years. Indeed in creating this post and collecting images I soon realized that over the years he had shown up in dozens of posts. More than any other family member.
Rudi gained a devoted following simply by being a charming poser.
His funny facial expressions brought joy to many.
He appeared in numerous makeover and decorating posts.
You can click on each image to be taken to the original posts.
His face and ever saluting ear was a true fan favorite.
A Dog For Every Occasion
He has been there for every special occasion.
Often viewing the spectacle from his prized yellow chair. I know that each of our neighbors and close friends will get a chuckle upon rembering him holding court on this throne.
A few years later he was joined by Franz. They were our prized Hallowieners.
Other holidays were also enjoyed such as an Easter egg hunt for dogs.
Christmas always included Rudi.
He was a perfect holiday accent piece. He worked cheap requiring just cheese for cheeze.
Rudi and Franzie loved their Christmas coats.
After Franzie passed away from complications of Cushings disease we adopted Gracie. Her puppy like schenanigans kept our now old man young.
About a year ago we noticed a decline in our dear friend. He steps became very slow when Creating a garden path.
But he still loved to eat and yodel.
Shortly after he modeled for our patriotic Patio Set he was diagnosed with cancer. We felt grateful that he had graced our lives for over 16 years and was probably around 18 years old.
Words cannot convey our sorrow.
Sweet Guy has no memory of a world without Rudi. Indeed it is hard to imagine a life now without him.
His true love was of course the Fashionista.
It was a deep and true relationship built on faithful loyalty.
Friendship and family comes in all forms.
Rudi Voller Gunn you will be missed by so many. We are so very grateful for your longtime love, devotion, and care. You made us all better people.
As always, if you are seeking to add to your family please consider a shelter pet.
Do it for Rudi.
In the spirit of Saturday Smiles…
Rudi’s Trashcapades
Rudi the Gingerbread Dog
I’m so sorry for your loss, Laura.
I am sorry that you are all feeling so sad and that such an important part of your lives is gone. He was a lucky boy to have such a good family and a long life in the lap of luxury with you all.
I’m sorry for your loss. What a wonderful tribute. May you find comfort in the memories.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all! ❤️
I loved your Rudi posts and this tribute to him. I have never been a dog person always prefering cats until our sweet little doxie Sophie enter our lives. She too is an adopted rescue. She came to us as a flea infested runt of the liter with spunk and sass…my daughter was there to pick out a puppy and this one chose me literally. Even though she was supposed to my daughters dog she has truly been mine, when my daughter moved out she refused to eat until returned to my care. I am so deeply saddened at your loss of this faithful family friend and protector. Thank you for sharing Rudi with us, I will miss his sweet face here on your blog. Hugs and healing to your hurting heart.
Laura,
I am so sorry to hear about Rudi, but how wonderful to have all those posts and pictures to remember him by. I was just thinking about your kids and how Rudi has been such a constant in their lives. Our fur kids truly own a piece of our hearts forever. May your pain and grief eventually fade to nostalgia and lovely “Rudi stories”. I would have loved to hear that boy yodel❤️
Ann
Oh Laura, I am so sorry for your entire family. I know how much he was a part of it. God Bless.
Oh Laura, I’m so sorry at the loss of dear Rudi. It is so difficult to lose a pet. They bring so much joy to our lives and their love is truly unconditional.
Oh Laura, Words can comfort but only time can heal. And as we both know, even with time, even with healing, there will always be a piece of your heart that belongs to Rudi and Rudi alone. And that is just as it should be, a place where he is always wearing the cutest collars and best hats and finest couture; where every “cheese” is rewarded and where hugs and love are never ending. Biggest hugs to you, my friend.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know it’s heartbreaking when you lose a pet. A pet is part of your family. The tribute you wrote about Rudi was so sweet and touching. I hope your treasured memories will help you through the difficult days ahead. Love and comfort to you and your family.❤️
I am so very sorry for your loss of Rudi ~ I too have lost a dearly beloved Wonder Dog.
He will be waiting for you, just over the bridge ~
Hugs ~
bobbie
Laura, Rudi was a lucky boy the day he joined your family. I just read about how he defended you from two much larger attackers! He had the heart of a lion in that little sausage body. I’m so sorry for your loss. Rudi had a long and happy life surrounded by people who loved him. It doesn’t get much better than that for any of us.
Our dogs love us with 100% of their hearts. So sorry for your loss
Laura, So sorry for the loss of your sweet pup. He was very lucky to have had such a loving family. He will miss you too! Take care, Joan
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my Ozzie in August of 2018. He was 16 years and 4 days old. It is an unimaginable void and hole in our lives and hearts. You created such a great tribute and memory, to Rudi. in today’s post. I really enjoyed seeing Rudi in you r posts over the years I have been following you. I wish peace and healing to you and your family.
Laura, I am so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies hold a very special place in our hearts. xoxo
Laura – I’m so sorry for your loss. Rudi was such a gorgeous boy! Now he’s running free with Franzie. Sending you all my love.
Saturday Sads, not smiles! I’m so sorry for all of you. It’s heartbreaking.
Dear Laura, I am so sorry for your terrible loss. Precious Rudi will be with all of you always. The love you all shared will never go away. Sending love and hugs.
Dear Laura,
I have tears in my eyes as I write this in response to your touching tribute to Rudi.
I can totally relate to your loyalty and love for dogs! Sincerest sympathy for your loss.
Hugs & Prayers,
carol
*hugs* and love and so sorry for your loss,
~Kelley
I am so very sorry, I also have dachsunds and truly understand your sadness, they are awesome.
Dear Laura,
What a beautiful heart felt tribute to Rudy and so poignantly spoken and true about the passing of time and how our pets become more than best friends in our lives. They are like little soul keepers when words are not enough.
So glad i got to meet and hug little Rudy♥️
I am thinking now, after watching your videos featuring him that he has more than earned his fashionista title, about how about adding trashinesta? Never was there a boy with a sweeter smile when caught red handed❤️❤️❤️Sending hugs snd love to all❤️
I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I am so very, very sorry. There are some pets that are more deeply intertwined in your family than others. You can love all your pets but there are those that transcend just being part of your life. God bless you- I know how hard this is. I am glad you had him for as long as you did. xoDiana
So hard to lose a little friend. So sorry…
Little abandoned Rudi was so lucky that your family found him. I truly believe that rescue dogs know that they are being rescued, and they spend their entire lives repaying our kindness with love and loyalty. I know your pain as I’ve had so many dogs (and cats) in my many years on earth. I can’t even imagine living without a furry child in my life. I think I’ve mentioned I have a 13 year old large dog who I know I don’t have a lot of remaining time with – dogs her size don’t live to be much past 12 – so your stories of both Rudi and Franz made me cry a lot of tears for what I know is coming.
You gave Rudi a wonderful, long life and if he could speak, he would have told you so many times over..
Time will heal your grief, and will also allow you to remember him as he was here on earth – in your lives and in your hearts.
Oh Laura, I am so sorry. I know sometimes our furry friends are true family.
He will be waiting for you across Rainbow Bridge – bet he’s standing eagerly next to my kitty and bff Romeo….my adopted precious bestie whom I shall miss the rest of my life, too.
Truly heartfelt tears for you and your family. Rudi was a cutie, and so well loved. ♥ I ache for you.
I am so very sorry of the loss of your dear Rudi. From a true crazy-cat-lady with 4 dears of my own, I full know how truly difficult these losses are. When we lost our dear Winston cat, I grieved for almost a year. You are in my thoughts.
Love, Linda
Rest in peace dear, sweet Rudi.
I am so sorry, Laura. I love Rudi, too! May God bless and keep him
So sorry for your loss.
Crying my eyes out…..too close to home. God bless Rudi, may he rest in peace until you meet again, and God bless you for all the love!
I came over from Jeanie’s blog.
So sorry for your loss, you gave Rudi such a great life and you have made such great memories with him.
I’ve lost a few of my cats and I still remember them years later.
I was so sorry to read of Rudi’s passing. Its so hard losing your wonderful pets. The house just has an empty feeling. We are too old now to get another pet into our home but we spend a lot of time puppy sitting our grandpuppies and puppy nieces and nephews. We have our home child proofed and pet proofed so they are all welcome to visit. We lost our puppy grandson, Max, not too long ago. He was a beautiful show winning Schnauzer and such a dignified gentleman. When the car drives in and the doors open I still expect to see him get out and check out our yard, where he had lots of room to run and smell the different smells. There is never another one who will replace the one you lost but in time there may be another sweet little critter who needs your abundance of love and caring. it will be a lucky critter indeed to enter through your threshold and become part of your family.
{{{hugs}}} to all of you!
I know! We had to let go of our 17-year old Lhasa Apso in July, her littermate had passed on 3 years ago. These two were our 7th and 8th Lhasa’s Apsos in our 45-year marriage. What to do? We found another Lhasa/Shih Tzu mix puppy in June! Such a cute face, and smart as a whip! As we had never NOT had a dog in our home, we chose to be brave at our age and get a puppy. Oh my!