Meet Rusty, Eddie & Jack's BIG brother

[AlaskaYorkie]

Yes, you read it right. I am now the proud owner of a 9-year-old chocolate Lab mix. Because of a family tragedy, a little girl I know in New Jersey had to give up her beloved pets with almost no notice. She was able to rehome her two Yorkies easily, but with a deadline looming, no one wanted Rusty.

So here he is. I'm delighted. He's healthy, very mellow and he's Yorkie-proof!

The two pictures here are of Jack sleeping on Rusty's new bed and Rusty sleeping on Jack's blanket on the couch. What's up with that?

I made some videos to reassure Megan that she found him a good home. Here's his arrival and subsequent indoctrination into our pack.

Videos
Here's when I picked him up at the airport after a tough, 11 1/2 hour flight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xQ1ON1OubQ

Here's Rusty & Eddie playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEIqp1B1R-4

Here's his first morning walk in the park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bSzDcCrAbI

[Bclover92]

aahhhh, hes so cute! i am so glad he has home and you have him!

[Dax]

Congrats on your new addition. You may have to change your siggy. I wonder how a city boy will react to his first moose. Is there room under the bed for him and Eddie?

Can't wait to hear all about him in more detail.

[Camberaoh]

Awwe how sweet!! How did he make it from NJ to alaska? He is handsome.

[dobermom]

Your a GREAT guy!!

Megans a lucky girl to have such a caring person take on Rusty for her!

[alimel]

That was good of you, I know it is difficult to find a home for a dog this age. I love the bed trading! Rusty is a beautiful dog, congratulations.

[agilitydog]

Awwww how absolutely wonderful. A senior dog and a lab at that. How truly wondeful you are. Rusty is one lucky dog.

I LOVE Jack in that great big bed. You almost can't see him amidst al, the fluff.

Can't wait to hear more stories

[golden&hovawart]

Thanks for doing this!.
You won't regret it and he's gorgeous!.

[AlaskaYorkie]

Originally Posted by Sararee

Awwe how sweet!! How did he make it from NJ to alaska? He is handsome.

One looonnnngg flight. That was one of my biggest reservations. I checked all the airlines, and the best arrangement I could find was a one-stop, no-transfer Continental flight. 11 1/2 hours of traveling time. I was a nervous wreck. Fortunately, everything went perfectly. His plane arrived a few minutes early. He didn't have any accidents in his crate, though he was terribly thirsty and hungry.

He's a good, ol' guy. It took about 10 minutes for him to warm up to me and start giving me kisses. I had gotten some of the words he knew from Megan, and when I said "car ride," he seemed to relax.

He's great with Eddie and Jack. Eddie's not so sure. He's been quieter since we got him, but I think he's going to be OK. The only big problem now is Eddie is toy aggressive. He's snarled a couple times and lost his toy privileges. And Rusty came with a huge, cloth bone that absolutely drives Eddie crazy. That's the one in the video.

Fortunately, Rusty has shown no aggression whatoever.

A little more on the family who gave him up: I met them through a Yorkie forum 2 1/2 years ago. Megan was all of 12 years old at the time, smart as a whip and filled with more compassion than I've seen in most adults. Rusty was her best friend, and she grew up with him since she was 5.

Well, her Mom became disabled last year, and they ended up losing their house. They found a place to rent that was supposed to allow pets. At the last moment, the landlord said absolutely no pets. And they had a week's notice.

Megan's post on the Yorkie forum broke my heart. She posted an ad searching for homes for her three dogs. She said she knew some people wouldn't understand, that they'd say they would never give up a dog even if it meant they had to go homeless. Megan said she always felt that way too until her family was left with that very decision.

It's funny how life works out. I was just saying a couple weeks ago that I wanted a bigger dog. It's one of those "Be careful what you wish for," moments, but I'm delighted.

[Tankstar]

Aww thats great that you took him. Poor megan, atleast she could find a great home for her Rusty.