Rufus is gone

Rufus Doo was my dog and my best friend. We lived through a lot together over 12 years. Three years ago he survived an amputation, but the cancer came back.

Around noon today we found him in his normal spot downstairs, where he hangs out with the kids. He looked and felt like The Rufus, but he was gone.

I hugged and kissed and cried over him, then I took him to the vet for cremation.

I’ll say more when I stop crying.


36 replies
  1. Jen says:

    Aww, dude. I could tell how much you loved him when you talked about him last week. Just one look at that picture and you can tell he was a great dog.

  2. Mom McCormack says:

    Rufus was my grand-dog and I loved him. He was a loyal and very affectionate boy. He was also a powerhouse. I remember the first time Lee visited with Rufus. Rufus walked into the house, looked down the long hallway and discovered our swimming pool waiting out back, then immediately raced right through the closed screen door, jumped in and started to swim like an Olympic champion! He loved to visit and play in the pool with our black Lab, Emma. They took turns throwing a ball into the pool while the other dived in and fetched it. We lost Emma two years ago and now we’ve lost our beloved Rufus. He was the doggie love of Lee’s life and until last year, our only grandchild. The entire McCormack family will miss this very special person.

  3. sean says:

    Sad to hear it, Lee. I love my dog, she’s a good pal and I know it will hit me hard when she’s gone. You might be able to complete a positive karmic circle by finding a good dog to adopt at a shelter where dogs are kept before being put down as strays, etc.

  4. Scott says:

    AZOO JABBA JABBA!!!

    All upper case, cuz Rufus knew that it was always full speed, all the time. Pin it baby, pin it.

    Lee, I’m so so sorry for your loss. Rufus was one of the coolest cats around. I can still remember him from day one in Clayton. I’ll pour a 40 on the curb for my homie tonight.

  5. leichel says:

    Hey Lee,
    We lost our 13 year old black lab Jasper a few months ago and it was pretty bad. We had her before we had our kids. She never spent a night in the kennel and we loved her dearly. Really sorry for your loss.
    Lou

  6. Don says:

    Sorry aobout your loss. We dog lovers are his hard when we loose our friend. We lost our 9 year companion on the trails of Angel fire. I hope I depart doing the thing I love as well, hitting the trails. Take care and peace to your family. Don

  7. Dave says:

    Sorry to hear Lee, I had been a fan of Rufus since the first time I read about him on your site. Dogs are known for their unconditonal love and I’m sure that Rufus had your’s as well. Dave

  8. Tea Party says:

    Wow! I can’t believe it! I am soo sorry that you had to say goodbye to such an awesome dog! We loved Rufus too! Gosh Lee, I feel so badly for you, for what you must be feeling! We will be overwhelmed with good memories of Rufus, for a very long time! 🙂

  9. Di French says:

    SweetLee! Oh, my heart does a flip flop to read your news…

    What other creature than a loyal fuzzball like Rufus shares so much of our lives and loves so much of who we are? A thought from a book by the Monks of New Skete, who breed and train dogs in Cambridge, New York:

    “The biggest problem with dogs is that they don’t live long enough. They always seem to leave us when we’re most vulnerable, most in need of their biased, affirming presence. Dogs make us believe we can actually be as they see us, and it’s often only when they’re gone that we realize their role in what we’ve become.”

    Three huge cheers for Rufus and a life well lived and loved.

    Thinking of you… Di

  10. Farid says:

    Dude Lee, man I am SO SO sorry to hear this. My mom is experiencing the same thing with her 14yr old Lab. It is always very difficult when you lose a best friend. My best wishes go out to you. I’m glad you were able to have Rufus be a part of your life.
    Best Wishes -Farid

  11. dan says:

    Losing any friend that lives truly in the moment and loves unconditionally is a terrible loss. I know how you feel. Hang in there Lee. I see acres of green meadows with infinite smells for Rufus to explore.

  12. Dean says:

    Rufus was the kind of dog that every dog wanted to be and the kind of dog every boy wanted to have. I had some great fun with Rufus and will miss him a lot.

  13. Rob Calma says:

    Iam saddened to hear about your families loss. As a dog owner and having to put a dog down I feel your pain.

    All the best Lee and family.

    your Friends the Calmas

  14. David says:

    Wow very sorry to hear this bad news, I can sympathize with you we lost a son 10 years ago when he was 20. Stay strong Rufus Doo will be with you always, watching from above with a tail waggin smile.

  15. Roger says:

    Lee-
    In a community one person’s loss is everybody’s loss. We feel sad with you. Know that the Mooney clan is praying for your comfort. God gave us memories to remember July roses in December.
    Your friend, Roger

  16. John says:

    Lee sorry to hear about Rufus. I lost my dog last summer and know how difficult it is…keep your head up! The thing that helped me get through it was thinking about all the good times we had together. Sounds like Rufus had quite the life with you…stay strong

  17. leelikesbikes says:

    Rufus Doo was the ultimate open-water swimmer and singletrack ripper. We used to surf together in Santa Cruz — we would retrieve all the floating kelp then settle down on the beach and chew all the bubbles. That dog had obsessive-compulsive disorder! When he was young, he insisted on leading every trail ride. If you got in front he’d pull the craziest passes — or just ram into your rear wheel. He was a formidable beast: 80 pounds of pure muscle and crazy ideas.

  18. jnormal says:

    Sorry to hear the news, Lee. I remember Rufus from day 1 too… cowering in his kennel at your house, afraid to come out into the big bad world. What a change he made, huh? From apprehensive to the frantic, friendly 3-legged dude who got to travel everywhere with you. He got to lick many shins, pee on a ton of interesting things in different places, play in the ocean and have you as his best friend for all his dog years. All the things that make dogs happy. He lived a good life and was loved by everyone the whole time. RIP little buddy.

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Let the mind drift. … Tire pressure vs. tire volume vs. downforce vs. type of surface; hmm, there’s an equation and a chart in there somewhere. … Stop on the bridge over the river. Two dads teach their kids to flycast. A family walks along the bank, and their Lab takes a swim. He jumps out and shakes water on everyone. Rufus’ spirit lives! […]

  2. […] Pedal. Pedal. Pedal. Let the mind drift. Tire pressure vs. tire volume vs. downforce vs. type of surface; hmm, there’s an equation and a chart in there somewhere. … Cross the bridge. Two dads teach their kids to flycast. A family walks along the river, and their Lab takes a swim. He jumps out and shakes water on everyone. Rufus’ spirit lives! […]

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