Age: 16.5 years
Gender: Male
Breed: Golden Retriever
Status: Angel
Received Wings: November 2021
Rainbow Bridge: 11/17/21
Update: November 4, 2021
Rah-rah-rah for Rusty! Bells, whistles and woofs of delight as his milestone 16th birthday in 
April has come and gone.
His walks may be shorter and his naps longer now, but the warm Florida sunshine is as comforting as ever to this dearest of dogs. Although he’s showing signs of decline due to his weak hips and hind legs, requiring him to need help getting up, he still gets where he wants to go — wobbles and all.
Always famously fond of food (age hasn’t stifled his lust for life or zest for food), Rusty remains puppyish in his haste not to miss a morsel or a meal! With every day a cause for celebration, his loving family revels in the radiance of his adorable face while ensuring he’s pampered with copious belly rubs and pets and that his long, luxurious coat is always well groomed – as befits a Golden of his status and stature.
Update: December 8, 2020
Our boy, Rusty, was hanging out at the pool soaking up the warm rays of the sun the other day 
and was thinking of how lucky he was to have his GRRMF family. Yep, they sure have taken good care of him, in fact, this guy will be turning 16 in April, 2021. “He is slow getting up and getting started, unless it’s meal time! Rusty doesn’t let anything get in his way, he runs as fast as he can to get to his food,” his mom delightedly explains.
For his extracurricular activities (besides eating) Rusty likes playing bitey face with his 2 year old brother and basking in the sun on the pool deck. His mom is charmed by the way their younger 
dog is so gentle when he plays with his older brother and how Rusty tolerates and enjoys the activity.
GRRMF can’t wait to celebrate Rusty’s 16th birthday and we will definitely be giving him a shout out that day. It’s such a joy to have Rusty as part of our GRRMF family; we think he is looking pretty dapper and handsome at his age. His loving family feels blessed that they have him and hope he will break the record for the oldest senior golden. Keep “Rockin’ it Rusty!” 
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Rusty isn’t rusty at all! This active senior golden-zin just celebrated his 15th birthday in April.
Age doesn’t matter to Rusty, he recently moved with his family and adjusted just fine. He loves to hang around the pool and soak the sun; gotta keep his figure trim and looking good for those young golden girls that might be hanging around.
To get his daily exercise, Rusty jumps up and down on his front feet when meals are served. Mom says it’s “so cute to watch his excitement”. Rusty has also added a new play time event to his day, “bitey face” with his fur siblings. “This is something new, since Rusty never much wanted to play,” reports his mom. Rusty is loving life and he is so grateful for his wonderful loving family since 2014.
Hi everyone!! Just a quick note (I’ll write more later), but I thought I’d let you know that I turned 15 today. My mom and dad are throwing me a party. I invited my canine siblings, of course!
Hello there! Yes it’s me – Rusty – you might remember me, I came into GRRMF in pretty rough shape and I didn’t think anyone would ever want me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. My family loved me immediately – even though I wasn’t the most handsome or desirable dog at that time.
Well look at me now! My canine sibling surround me with love and fun every day and my Mommy tells me that I am a pretty dapper looking dude these days (I’m the guy all the way in the back of my canine family picture). Yup, I am a 14 year old gorgeous (well so I hear from all the humans) Golden Retriever and believe it or not I am the king of the pack and our home.
l love to romp in the backyard – it keeps me young with a spring in my step. I do enjoy walking to the edge of our pool, although I am not a big fan of getting in – but that sunshine and sparkling water is so calming. I am still not that keen on other dogs that I see on my walks but my brothers and sisters and family get me through it. Even though my eyesight and hearing is not that good anymore I still rule the neighborhood. I have an amazing “king of the forest roar” and even though I may sound ferocious I am an especially gentle soul when the grand-dogs come to visit. Who would have thought that my hair would grow back so wonderfully that I would get to go the spa for grooming?
I am gentle and kind with all of the human babies that come over and you know what? They love me the best. My Mommy tells me often that my family fell in love with me on the very first day I found them and I know I am their very very very special boy. I can always feel that love in my heart and soul and if you closely at my pictures, you will see, that for me, every day truly is a blessing with my family. What could be better for me than a house filled with never ending hugs and kindness for me?
My life is simply the best and I owe it all to GRRMF for finding me the most special and best home and family that I could ever have hoped to have for always!
“Every now and then a golden comes into your life that deserves unconditional love and care – Rusty Abe was definitely one,” reports mom Kristi. “Rusty was 70% discolored skin with open sores and callouses, infected ears and his smell arrived before his beautiful brown eyes. Our three goldens accepted Rusty in spite of his looks and smell, a true testament that dogs love unconditionally. The long and tedious recovery process began with a holistic approach of natural herbal supplements and quality food. Rusty began to grow fur and lost that horrific odor after six months.
Over time Rusty developed separation anxiety and a fear of others and canines outside the home that individual and group training did not help him overcome. We knew in our hearts that he was a special needs dog and wasn’t going anywhere. Rusty loved us and we loved him in spite of his fears. He is alive, he is loved and he brings us happiness. Rusty has a place to lay his head forever as part of our family in a home of adults, babies, toddlers, dogs and friends. He is one of us!!!”
