REMEMBERING BEAUTIFUL RESCUE GIRL RUBY
HAPPY DOGGY NEWS is so happy to be publishing this beautifully written story by RUBY’S Mum Shirley.
RUBY was rescued by Shirley and shown unconditional love from the moment she arrived at her Forever Home.
RUBY came to us in the Summer of 2007. My daughter Rebecca had been asking for a dog for months and months and I promised her she would get one if she had good grades at school, on the one condition; it should be a RESCUE DOG from the shelter, not a puppy from a breeder.
So, the good grades came and off we went to the shelter!
We saw this little doggy, shivering in the corner of the kennel. She was so scared! We asked the carer to take her out so we could take a little walk with her to see how she would respond to us.
When she was put on the lawn, she immediately went flat on her belly on the grass. We were then told her story.
RUBY had been rescued from an apartment with 7 other (larger!) dogs. She had never been outside in her entire 4 years of existence. So this time, when her paws touched the grass, it was the first time in her life she felt that!
We couldn’t have her put back in the kennel so we decided there and then to take her home.
She hid under my desk the first week or two.
RUBY also wasn’t housetrained, obviously. That was a problem. Because every time I got home from work, the house was soiled.
We eventually hired a dog whisperer to help us with that and it worked! We rewarded her when she pooped outside. In fact, even when she got really old, she was still running back inside really excited after she pooped outside, even though the times of getting rewarded for that were loooooooong gone.
RUBY LOVING THE FEEL OF THE SAND ON HER PRECIOUS PAWS! THIS PHOTO IS SO HEART WARMING!
RUBY went with us to many places, every time we could take her with us.
WAY TO TRAVEL RUBY
She was okay with staying home as well, although we did notice she was a bit anxious at home by herself.
RUBY YOU SERIOUSLY LED YOUR BEST LIFE AFTER FINDING YOUR LOVELY MUM
In the beginning, she slept in the kennel in the house but she howled all night! Not long after that we decided to allow her to sleep in our bed with us! She did that until the day she passed away.
RUBY remained a scared little soul until her dying day. We are not sure what happened to her back in the days, but she stayed afraid of strangers (especially men!) for the rest of her life. Afraid of strangers, afraid of the vet, afraid of other dogs…….
But with us, she blossomed!
She trusted “her people! She would also never ever accept a treat from anyone, except “her people”!
She loved her every day walks, rain or cold, wind or snow, sun or hail, she didn’t care. She just loved to go to the park and sniff around. Often people would approach us and tell us how cute and lovely she was and try to touch her. But she got scared and hid behind me because she trusted me. I always had to tell people not to touch her because she was a traumatised little soul!
RUBY had one big friend though…… a dog we met in the park on a regular basis. When she met WOLF, she was over the moon and it was mutual! WOLF would spot her from afar and chest ahead, would come greet his little “protege”.
The rest of RUBY’S days were filled with sleeping and “doggy TV”. She had her seat at the window and would bark at anyone passing by, being out WATCH DOG.
She gave us so much joy and she was loved by so many people! My Mother who had Alzheimer’s loved her deeply until she didn’t recognise us anymore. But when I visited my Mother, RUBY always came along and my Mother would stroke her!
RUBY LOVING HER VISITS WITH HER GRANDMOTHER. A MUTUAL LOVE AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER!
Because of RUBY’S past and the conditions in which she had grown up, RUBY had never loved to play fetch or any game whatsoever. She did like to snuggle though! And be “part of it” with the people she had learned to trust and love. For the same reason, eating was an issue and remained one until the very end. Probably because she was the smallest dog in the house where she grew up and probably needed to wait until last to eat! She always had to get a “green light” to eat. She always waited and hesitated. So we always had to encourage her and tell her that it was okay to eat.
To us, RUBY was the QUEEN of the House!
RUBY loved her piece of chicken every day and when I was cooking she would stand beside me waiting for a piece to “drop”!
I still miss her at my side every day I cook, especially when I now cook the meals where I was guaranteed to have an “audience” back then.
With getting older, RUBY started having digestive track issues. Also suffering from some type of dementia, often restlessly wondering around the house, and in Summertime, when the back door was open she would go in and out, in and out, not knowing what exactly she was doing.
Other than that, at her old age, she just loved snuggling up on the sofa and taking long naps.
WELL EARNT NAPS ON HER SOFA
Walks would become significantly shorter, for longer outings she started needing a stroller.
ARRIVING IN STYLE IN HER CHARIOT
RUBY would also feel cold much more quickly than before. So, we bought her a stroller and wrapped her in warm blankets for long walks when it was cold. She loved every minute of those walks!
At the respectable age of 18.5 years, RUBY made us understand that she was ready! On MAY 25th 2021 she gained her ANGEL WINGS and crossed over the RAINBOW BRIDGE.
RUBY is missed every day, but will however, always be with us!
LOVE TO RUBY FROM HAPPY DOGGY NEWS
Dear Ruby, you brought so much joy and love to your lovely Mum.
Though you may no longer be physically with her, your memory and spirit will always live on.
We want to thank your mum Shirley for sharing your story with us and for capturing the beauty of your soul in her words.
Your tale of resilience and determination is truly inspiring.
We are grateful for the gift of your story.
RUBY we know you are enjoying your new adventures over the RAINBOW BRIDGE.
FLY HIGH BABY GIRL, you learnt so much on your adventures on this Earth, you can pass your wisdom on to the other dogs who are with you now.
From not being loved at first to being SUPER LOVED for the rest of your life is just so wonderful. We have fallen in love with you and are honoured to have found out all about you!
LOVE FROM ALISON AND JET – HAPPY DOGGY NEWS
