Every once in a while inspiration strikes into the hearts of people.
Using a different method each time, inspiration always finds a way let us know that we can succeed in
whatever we do. For instance:
Rusty was a 50-pound Australian red heeler who never understood the concept of surrender. Despite
loosing his two left legs in a hay mower accident 10 years ago, the dog returned to pastures where he
somehow resumed his calling to corral cattle.
Rusty, from the beginning of his life, continually beat the odds. After losing his legs in 1989, Rusty
was run over three times, shattering one of his two remaining legs and losing part of his tail. But he
always recovered, capturing the heart of his homestate, Iowa and attracting admiration from as far as
Australia.
"He was a dog that would never say no," said Phil Pearson, Rusty's doctor. "Working on him was a
challenge I’d never had before. He was really special to all of us." The Davises, who received Rusty as
a Christmas present, farm 600 acres about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines. Mrs. Davis recalled the
dog’s quick recovery in 1989. "We decided that if he wasn’t going to be able to walk, we were going
to put him to sleep," she said. "But he got up on his two good legs and hopped over to us. He was a
miracle dog. "He knew one thing, and that was to fight."
Rusty was lucky in more than one way also. Families from across Iowa went to Greenfield, population
2,000, hoping to breed their dogs with Rusty.
"He still gets Christmas cards," Mrs. Davis said. "He was our dog, but he really belonged to Iowa."
A few months ago Rusty was diagnosed with cancer. He was removed from the fields to rest. Every
morning he tried to follow Mr. Davis to work in those fields. Every morning he was stopped, his
owners knowing it would kill him. Then one day he won out. The Davis' realized his wishes and
allowed him to work again. He continued to do so until he could no longer hop.
Rusty Ruger, the dog’s full name, was buried near his mother, Porky, near the farm of Bill Davis’
parents after finally being overcome.
That my friends is strength and power.
Thanks, Rusty. Keep those cattle in order up there, fella.