Hustle

Hustle was a mangy, starving, 9-month old pup when he decided to follow my husband Pat on his daily run.  It was an incredibly hot May morning in Memphis, TN and although Pat tried several times to persuade the dog to stop (my husband is a distance runner), he was undeterred.  Pat lead him to several ponds where this crazy dog would jump in to swim/drink while Pat tried to run away fast enough to lose him.  Finally, unable to dissuade him from following, my husband decided that if this crazy canine could finish the route with him we’d give him a good home.  Near the end of the run, as the dog started to lose steam, Pat would encourage him by yelling “Hustle up, hustle up!”   Needless to say, he finished the run and earned his name in the process.
Hustle was in such bad shape that we assumed he was an older dog and just figured we’d let him live out whatever time he had left with us.  We were shocked when the vet informed us that he was, in fact, just a puppy.  After weeks of treatment for mange, fleas, and ear mites (and lots of food), we were blessed with a beautiful, intelligent and loyal friend.  He remained my husband’s jogging buddy for most of his life.  When our children came along he was a gentle and tolerant companion for them.  Hustle was a hardy, active dog who loved to run, swim, play catch, chew sticks.  Mostly he loved being around Pat.  He would go and wait at the window minutes before Pat would get home from work even though the times would vary.  He always seemed to know.  Pat could get him to obey with just a look in his direction.  The past year brought a marked decline in his health and his final weeks were filled with increasing pain.  It was time to let him go to a place where he could be whole again.
From a dog we assumed was on the brink of death when we first found him, we got almost 14 incredible years.  Although we wish we could have had more time, our family is thankful for the service Home to Heaven, and especially Dr. Andrew Boal, provided.  Hustle Meyer passed away peacefully in his own front yard, facing Horsetooth Reservoir, on a warm, sunny day with his beloved master at his side.