Today, the Boys and I are celebrating the second anniversary of Rufus’ surviving being hit by a train.  It’s almost like a second birthday when you think about it.  Two years ago today, a Monday, the Boys and I went on our morning jog.  Rufus ran into an apple orchard, and Max and I kept going.  The orchard was about 50 meters from a stretch of path that wasn’t very far at all from the train tracks.  It was our misfortune to be at that area when the first train of the day went by.  I still don’t know why, but Rufus jumped onto the tracks at that time.  I found him between the two rail lines; unconscious, but still alive.  So I carried him to the grass and took off with Max to get the Jeep.  My wife was just getting ready when I ran in the house and told her what happened.  Without even getting dressed, she grabbed her phone and ran with me to the Jeep.  She called our vet on the way so they could make any necessary preparations.  We got to Ruf as he was regaining consciousness, and when he heard the Jeep approaching, he tried to lift his head and wagged his tail.  It was when I put him in the vehicle that I finally noticed that his foot was nearly completely severed and he had a large gash in his back.  I began a very long week spending mornings and evenings at the animal clinic doing my best to keep Rufus’ spirits up.  It wasn’t easy for either of us, but by Friday, he was able to stand up on his own.  The doctors then decided that he would be able to survive and scheduled him for surgery to have his leg amputated on Monday.  He came home on Tuesday, and we began working on his recovery.  It was a slow process, but today he can run (not quite as fast, but faster than any human), jump (not quite so high) and play tug of war like nothing ever happened.  He is still a happy (and sometimes irritating) dog, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One Happy Guy

Thanks for sticking around, Ruf!!!

I love Boston Legal!  One of the things I like best is the relationship between Alan Shore, a bleeding-heart liberal, and Denny Crane, the die-hard conservative living on the edge of lunacy.  As different as they are, they have a strong bond for each other; love would not be putting it too strongly.  They have sleep overs, hug and occasionally hold hands, all in a very platonic way.  I’m sure the fact that they can rise above their differences and still be friends amazes many people.  It is Hollywood, after all.  But, I have a friendship that is similar.  I consider myself a left-leaning Republican.  He is a far-right Republican and would NEVER consider me conservative in any way.  We have had our share of debates on various issues, mostly defense.  I would actually say that we disagree on nearly everything of importance.  Yet, we are still friends.  It has escaped us why this is.  It just is.  I guess that’s part of what being friends is all about.