A Salute to Rufus (1998 - 2013)

Loss is an amazing experience. No matter how you prepare, it grabs you by the throat and breaks your heart. People have many ways of grieving - this is mine - to share some wonderful moments with my dear 4-footed therapist of 14 years - Rufus. He left this world peacefully in my arms today - a great companion right up to the end. As I cried, he looked at me with those warm, loving, empathetic eyes that have comforted my clients for so many years - and yes, he put his paw on my arm. I like to imagine him with his old friend, Zazu, who passed away 2 years ago. What fun they had together. And what fun we all had watching them. Thanks to all of you who loved him and cared for him while I was away.

Here's a You Tube tribute I made to Rufus last year The Four-Footed Therapist

Palisades Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean was a place we often ran 

and, as we grew older, where we took long walks.

Rain or shine we always took our walks.

Rufus had an interesting relationship with neighborhood cats. 

He could sit and watch them for hours.

Always pleasing the photographer's whims.

Special recognition of his own breed.

Do I have to climb it?

Handsome, isn't he!

And sometimes a bit shy!

As you know, life isn't always easy.

Surprises happen.... Rufus met his best friend, Zazu, late in life. 

He loved to chase her and she loved to be chased.

The only way he could stop the game was to sit on her.

Right from the start Rufus loved to swim and taught his reluctant friends, too.

Some two-footed friends

 Rufus' 15th Birthday Party

Still agile after all these years. Must have been the "Agility Training."

Some of Rufus' modeling jobs....

Rufus always loved to play with his toys, especially the squeaky ones.

And loved to take naps, too.

Rufus in his finest! 

What a great life he lived! 

He brought joy to so many friends.

photo by Dotty C

Reflections

Life is full of joy and sorrow. I dedicate this series of reflections to Dr. Faiza Fawaz Estrup, a devoted doctor, scientist, linguist, painter (water colors) and the loving wife of my cousin, Per Jan. She was born in Lebanon and at 18 came to study physics at Yale University, where they met and fell in love. They spent many years at Brown University as researchers and professors, then retired to Santa Barbara because the coast reminded Faiza so much of Beirut. 
                                                                            

Liv - Providence, RI - August  2013