started it all, or that one dog who stuck with them through all the dogs that follow them. Mine was Ruger. My family brought Ruger home at the shy age of 6 weeks old back in 2005. I was 10 years old at the time, and my little sister was only 5. This tiny, yellow, blue eyed, chunk of a puppy completed our little family in ways we didn't even understand yet. Ruger came alongside me through everything over the next 15 years. Arguably the most crucial times of a young girl's life, and he was there.
Graduations, birthday’s, proms, fights, championships, camping trips, holidays, heartbreaks, you name it, he never failed to be waiting with a wagging tail everyday when I got home from school.
I often joked that when I went away for college the only thing I would miss would be Ruger, and while that wasn't entirely true, I can still remember that feeling of packing up all my things, and heading off to school so excited for the future and equally wishing nothing more than being able to snuggle my dog every night. We made those 4 long years work by lots of trips home and face-time dates where I forced my parents to put Ruger on the phone! Those years flew by like they always do and before I knew it I was back home snuggling my dog again.
On August 15th, he celebrated his Golden Birthday surrounded by his family, his very own cake, (which he still inhaled by the way) a swimming pool, and all the pets a dog could get in one day.
On August 17th, once again surrounded by his family, in the comfort of his own backyard, Ruger crossed over the rainbow bridge, where we know he sits with a wagging tail waiting to see us again. We are so lucky he picked us and we were able to have shared our life with him for those 15 years, and even beyond in the ways we carry him with us.
When I started Ruff Life I knew it had to be in honor of the one dog that started it all for me. His paw print would continue to walk through life with me through all the next major milestones. Starting with building a business from scratch doing what I love most- working with dogs. The capital “R” in Ruff life is for Ruger and his paw print is the print you see in my logo and on all of my platforms. I couldn’t have done it without you buddy. This one’s for you.
Ruff Life LLC In Honor of Ruger Stalnecker 2005-2020