We had always longed to foster rescued Vizslas, however we had a VERY old Chow that we had rescued 10 years ago. We wanted to make his last days as peaceful and undisruptive as possible. We knew introducing new dogs even on a short term basis would be a bad idea. March 22, 2005, our 16-year-old patriarch lost a hard battle to congestive heart failure. Our 11year-old Vizsla, Hannah (seen on the CWVRG logo), seemed to enjoy being the only dog, getting all the attention and treats. It didn’t take long for her to put on weight and seem a little lonely. Then came the e-mail from Rita, the rescue group coordinator; most of us have received one of those infamous e-mails. There was an 8-9 month old male Vizsla, named Rusty (how original), doing a “second tour” with the Mesa County Animal Control in Grand Junction and they wanted him off their hands. Transportation and foster was needed.

After several e-mails and phone calls it was decided that Mark and Dani (Redford’s parents) would foster Rusty in Grand Junction through the Easter holiday weekend and arrangements were made to meet in Vail the following Friday for us to pick him up to foster and evaluate for placement in a forever home (yeah right, you’re thinking). Rusty was a great traveler, just like all my other Vizslas, finding a comfortable spot and sleeping for the duration of the road trip.

The first meeting between Rusty and Hannah was pretty typical, Rusty wanting to play REAL bad and Hannah being a cranky old lady. Rusty’s first few days in our home went pretty well, classic puppy curiosity and pushing Hannah’s buttons, fortunately he figured out the dog door right away and there were no “accidents” in the house. Then on day 5 the demon came out in him, Rusty decided I was another dog that he had to establish hierarchy over. He would hit me with the sides of his fore legs when we were working on obedience training and nip at my legs and feet to get my attention. To add insult to injury he became awfully destructive too, TV remote, shoes, you name it, it was a chew toy despite the house and yard being littered with dog toys. He also enjoyed rearrangement of household decorating accessories. By this time, I thought there was no way I could foster and evaluate this dog; I was about ready to call Rita and surrender. Fortunately, we have some amazing people in our Rescue Group, after phone calls and e-mails with some very knowledgeable people (namely Polly) I received life saving advice (you can decide whose life was being saved). Once the hierarchy was established between Rusty and I, he became much more well- behaved around the house and then he and Hannah started playing, in fact they haven’t stopped playing.

Whether it’s tug-of-war, chase through the house and yard, wrestling like puppies, Hannah’s “drive by nips” to torment him or chasing the birds and chipmunks, it didn’t take long for me to realize that Hannah needed Rusty. She finally had somebody to boss around, follow her everywhere and mimic her actions like she was a popular cheerleader or the princess that she is. Rusty being the classic observing Vizsla learned from her what behaviors are rewarded and where the “critters” are to watch and chase. Hannah will even come and “tattle” on him if he is shredding a dog toy. Hannah has lost weight and now has amazing energy to keep up with whirlwind known as Rusty.

Rusty has been to work (a physical therapy clinic) with me and loves to “work the room” soaking up attention and affection from everyone there. The dogs have been on several road trips with us lately. They travel better than most people: sleeping mostly, requiring few breaks, with no fighting in the backseat. My ego soars with the compliments we receive, “what good looking dogs”, “they get along so well”, “they are so good together”, and on and on.

Despite the occasional demonic possessions and usual puppy behavior, Rusty has found his forever home. A huge thanks, once again, to Rita and the Rescue Group for giving me the opportunity to share my life with another amazing Vizsla. - Roni (For Shaun, and Hannah too)