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Steve Cook of Arden
Hills, Minnesota sent this tribute on March 4, 2002. A very special guy,
Dusty has been featured at my
Golden Heroes
page due to his having saved the life of his caregiver, Steve. Dusty, my best friend, was born what I believe is July 4th, 1986 and died in my arms,
October 11, 2001 Dusty was my life. Everything I did was because of him. I quit my job, to take one
closer to home. Dusty had his own doggy door, but he preferred to still want to come in
through the patio door. He only drank refrigerated purified water, except when swimming at
the lake. He was so smart and loving, around humans, dogs, cats, kids, infants too.
He was a weekly visitor to a retirement home, they would all gather around the
dayroom waiting for Pet-time with Dusty Saturday afternoons. He had the run of the place,
except for the restaurant. He was so gentle with everyone there. They just loved him
there. He was my everything, and I was his. We lived in several different homes during his
first five years. The last 10 years in only one. He and I even lived in a hotel for six
months while rebuilding our house after a major fire. He would sit and watch TV during the
day while I was at work. At night or on weekends, I would sit on my recliner and right
next to me, Dusty had his own soft and comfortable chair. He and I would sit side by side.
I had a TV in the bedroom. In bed, I would have my left hand on a remote control, and
my right hand petting him. To me that was heaven. I know he enjoyed it a lot too. While at
work, I had a webcam on him during the day, and would catch a peak at him from my work
computer, via the internet through the website 321cam.com. At night he always slept on the
bed with me. I can't sleep without him. He had 3 bouts of cancer and no expense or treatment was spared on him. He always
took his treatment and examinations with a smile and a kiss.
In the winter in Minnesota, we would go for a walk in the snow. Dusty would usually
wear his snow boots. What was great about it is that I would see a car go by and the
driver would be frowning, but as soon as they saw Dusty prancing in his boots, the drivers
face would light up and they would smile. I bet that made their day.
I did not know that the end was coming. But it so happened that the last week
together was a very busy and fun one. He went to my office one day, and several people who
only heard of him, came over and said hi. Dusty was getting a little finicky with eating his normal food so one night for
dinner he had a couple hamburgers from Wendy's, and another night he had a couple roast
beef sandwiches from Arby's. We went for a couple long walks. And then one morning he
suffered a stroke, or kidney failure. I was hugging and kissing him at the end as he died
in my arms. This is the hardest thing that I have ever gone through. My house is now so empty. I
don't hear his toenails on the kitchen floor. I don't see and feel him dropping a toy at
my feet. I don't hear him eating his dinner. I miss him more than anything else in the
world. If I could, I would gladly give my life up for him. I would trade my soul to have
him back for a little more time.
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