Remember Rudy

My Familiar – more about my dog Rudy

There are many definitions given for familiars. A spirit often embodied in an animal and held to attend and serve or guard a person. A familiar animal, in folklore, is an animal believed to be possessed of magic powers such as the ability to change its shape. They also serve as psychic radar, reacting visibly to the presence of any negative or evil energy. In legend, a familiar or familiar spirit is a supernatural being that helps and supports a witch or magician. Their witches also give familiars psychic protection. Familiars often have special powers of their own. Rudy is my familiar.

Athena had asked for a dog for years and years. We were living in Alaska and my response was always the same, “We can’t have a dog right now because we travel too much. When we move ‘Down South’ you can have a dog.” When Athena turned twelve the time for a dog was finally approaching. Once the decision to move was made, the great dog breed debate began. We debated Greyhounds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dalmatians and Terriers. I won the debate because I realized that whatever breed we got it would end up being my dog when Athena left home to go out into the world on her own. The decision? A Terrier. A Jack Russell Terrier it would be.

Why a Jack Russell? I have always loved the Terrier breeds because of their spunk, energy and lack of fear. I always enjoyed the antics of Eddie, the Jack Russell featured on the television show Frasier. I cut a picture of a Jack named Ruby out of a magazine and taped it to our refrigerator. The names would be Ruby for a female and Rudy for a male.

A year later we arrived in Rochester, New York and Athena demanded her dog. The hunt for a breeder began and what a gift to have stumbled upon the Round the Bend farm. I made a call to the breeder, Sandy Ryan, and arranged a visit. I wanted to inspect the place before committing to anything. When Athena and I arrived at Round the Bend, we were surrounded by a group of hyper little dogs. Some were jumping like kangaroos, some were playing in an inflatable children’s swimming pool out front and others were running around.

Sandy greeted us with a puppy in her arms. She immediately introduced us to each of her little family members. She took us on a tour of the kennel revealing even more of these frisky critters. She informed us that all the dogs present were hers and not for sale. Her love of these wacky creatures was obvious.

Sandy interviewed us as well and told us we would have to wait for the litter born in the spring and get our dog in July. She did temperament testing of each litter and asked what we were looking for. I told her spunky, good sense of humor, loves children, a character and affectionate.

So began the wait for Ruby or Rudy. At our house the new debate was whether or not to get a male or female. Athena and I wanted Ruby but Lewis wanted Rudy. I caved in even though Lewis didn’t really want a dog so it shouldn’t have been an issue. I guess I must give my ex-husband credit for something.

In July we got the call. The puppies had been born on July 5th 1995. We would have to wait eight weeks before we could bring him home. Athena was so excited I thought she was going to burst. Eight weeks later Sandy called and said there was a male and female that fit the personality we requested. They were registered under the names Lash (the male) and Lido (the female). We headed off to the farm.

When we arrived we were again greeted by a multitude of frisky and playful terriers. Sandy took us inside and there they were, Lash and Lido begging to be picked up out of a pen. I informed Sandy that we were taking the male. Athena picked up Lash and I told Sandy his name was going to be Rudy from now on. Sandy kept Lido and she eventually became a show dog.

I’d done my homework about the breed and found out how active and strong-willed they are. The books said they would take control of the household unless this is addressed from the beginning. I decided to establish myself as the alpha dog.

Let me tell you it was no easy task. Rudy was stubborn and not willing to assume the submissive role. It took about two weeks for him to finally give in. To succeed I literally had to act like a dog. I would get on all fours and force him into a submissive posture, sometimes growling when I did it. Sometimes he would bite me and I would bite him back, growl and make him submit.

Training aside, he had the exact personality we’d asked for. He always had a smile on his face. Rolling around on his back he would show his little teeth and laugh, and laugh and laugh. He loved to be held and would hug you by putting one paw on each of your shoulders.

At six-months old it was he off to puppy kindergarten. The first night we arrived Sandy was there with Lido. Amazingly, the littermates remembered each other. They nuzzled, rolled around on top of each other growling and ran around in circles. I think puppy kindergarten was really to train the owners not the puppies. During the six-weeks I learned how intelligent and easy it is to train a Jack Russell. At the end of each session the puppies were given fifteen minutes of free time to run and play. The first time, I expressed concern about Rudy getting attacked by the larger breeds. The instructor made the following announcement, “Poodle owners hold onto your dogs and don’t let go. The Jack Rusells will be fine. Let them go.” Well, he was right. Rudy and Lido were just fine darting in, out and under larger dogs. All you could see was two small objects moving at the speed of light. On the rare occasion that they were overpowered, they would simply roll on their backs under the larger dog and bite its stomachs. Instinct is most certainly an amazing thing.

I was right. When Athena left home Rudy remained behind and we’ve now reached year number fourteen. Athena has her own children now and they consider Rudy their dog. He’s been with them from the beginning and they don’t know life without him.

He’s returned home to Round the Bend from time to time over the years. There were family reunions complete with obstacle courses, games, races, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Sandy would greet you and walk you through the throngs of dogs identifying your dog’s mother, father and siblings. All by name no less! Rudy participated in all the games but refused to “go to ground.” The most amazing sight was watching him jump hurdles with four or five other dogs. It was incredible. The power and control exhibited by these dogs was unbelievable. Before each hurdle, in almost perfect unison, they would begin their ascent at a precise 90° angle. Next, they would flatten their bodies with all fours stretched to the limit and finally descending at another precise 90° angle. We’re talking seconds for each of these movements. It was if they had practiced formations as a team. Not so, this was pure instinct baby.

We knew of Rudy’s ability to exert total control of his muscles. When he was a puppy he liked to eat crushed ice from the refrigerator front door dispenser. When he was about a year old, we stood watching as he jumped repeatedly trying to reach the correct height and angle that would allow him to press the dispenser and get his own ice. He did it. We’d also watched him jump to turn doorknobs.

He’s also returned to Sandy for boarding several times. She would never take him by the leash at drop off but instead pick him up in her arms. He and I would look at each other and Sandy would say, “Okay you two, you’re suffering from separation anxiety. You need to leave.” Each time Sandy would see him I watched her very discretely give him a thorough exam to make sure he was being well taken care of. Holiday cards are sent to him each year with a picture of the family.

Over the years whenever I was struck with illness he would insist on laying either at my feet on the bed or recliner to protect me until I was well. This was the only time he did this. Whenever he is ill I bring him to me in the same way and bring him comfort. He gradually slowed down until now he no longer jumps because it is too painful. He moves slowly. Gone are the days when I would lay on the floor wrapping my arms around him and we would wrestle. Neither of us can do that now. Once in a while he runs up and down the hallway chasing his wubby and laughing. He falls asleep, snoring at a moments notice. He’s got cataracts, fatty tumors, arthritis, a heart murmur, liver problems and he’s senile. Yet, when people look at him they can hardly believe he’s fourteen years old. It’s his spirit shining through.

He and I now live at Rivers Run an adult living community for people fifty-five and older. In what may be his final time of life he has become the unofficial mascot and is surrounded by so much love and affection. He loves greeting everyone as they come in, giving them a smile and wagging tale. Those coming in can’t help but stop and ask his name putting a gentle hand out to him. He obediently sits in front of Sharon and Chad waiting for the doggy biscuits that have given him small hips in his old age.

He’s had a good life filled with love and affection. I’m losing him and I don’t know what to do. I still see and feel his spirit but physically he’s failing. How do I get my Rudy’s spirit, the spirit of my familiar, to inhabit another little body? Do I pray for that? Do I meditate? When I hold him in my arms and he passes on do I tell him to come back and I will find him? Until the time comes we will enjoy each other’s company taking long naps, going to the movies, shopping, making our usual rounds chatting with people as we go. No matter where we go everyone knows Rudy.