He had an upset stomach on Sunday and had thrown up a few times. By Tuesday he seemed to be better, racing with Teak to go outside when I got home. I washed his face and, since he was so good about it, I decided to take both dogs for a quick walk before supper. Teak bounded ahead but Rufus seemed subdued so I left him on a sit stay so I could get Teak. I had time to exchange their leashes but instead of getting up to head for home, Rufus collapsed. Rufus went quietly into the night while I cried "Rufus No" as if he would stop what he was doing.
Rufus was a dog of many stories. I could tell you hundreds and we could laugh together. I told him my deepest fears and secrets. Lately he had slowed down, lying in the den while I was on computer and only wandering as far as neighbouring garages. I will miss him even more than I expected to. Fred and I are mourning this unexpected turn of event. My only consolation is that the last thing he heard from me was praise him for being a good dog.
Autopsy results showed that he had a heart defect that had one totally undetected during his annual exams.The vet said that the throwing up was unrelated so it was probably from eating too many lawn mushrooms.There was nothing we could have done and I'm glad we didn't know because he wouldn't have gotten to do the fun stuff we'd been doing. We are getting him cremated and planting a tree in our back yard in his memory.