Stand By Me

This reminds me so much of Rusty

By Judy Berman

Think back to your school days. If you’re still there, reach a little further back. How many of your close friends then are still a part of your life?

In Stephen King’s novella, “The Body” (the movie: “Stand By Me”), he noted that he never had any friends like the ones he did when he was 12. Friends that he was really tight with one summer became just “two more faces in the halls” later on.

“It happens sometimes. Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant,” Richard Dreyfuss’ character says.

My closest friend, the one I could always count on whether I was having a great day or a real downer, came into my life when I was 8.

One snowy night in November, shortly after we’d moved from Pennsylvania to New York State, my Dad came home. He smiled and told me he had a surprise for me.

He pulled out a Cocker Spaniel puppy that he’d hidden under his coat. We named him Rusty for his color.

me with my brother, Hank, and Dad with Rusty

The puppy was proof-positive that Dad was a master diplomat. He knew my Mom was terrified of dogs ever since she was cornered by two dogs when she was younger. Somehow, he convinced her that Rusty was no threat and would be a real asset to our family.

He was right about the second part. Rusty, however, did turn out to be a formidable threat to anyone who he felt was a danger to our family. One night, when Dad was working late, a pushy salesman tried to gain entry into our home. When Mom went to close the door, he thrust his foot in so she couldn’t lock him out.

Rusty growled a warning that the salesman ignored. Then, the pup – now nearly a year old – bit the salesman. The salesman threatened to sue. Mom told him he was lucky the dog didn’t cause more damage, and the salesman left.

But most of our adventures were outside. Some of them were risky. I was a real tomboy then. My folks would have had more gray hairs if they knew of the time I rode a raft over a swampy area near our home. Rusty was with me, of course.

My trusty sidekick must have thought I knew what I was doing. If I fell in, I knew he would jump in after me to rescue me. Or, at least, that’s what I hoped would happen because I didn’t know how to swim.

Over the years, Rusty was a constant in my life, someone I could count on. One rainy day, when I was 18, Rusty was missing. I searched frantically for him, fearing that something was wrong.

I was relieved when I found him outside near our home. My joy did not last for long. After 10 years, my best friend was ready to cross to the other side of the bridge. Maybe, some day, we’ll meet again.

This is a tribute to my first dog, Rusty, for International Friendship Month.

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Movie trailer: “Stand By Me” (1986) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVnfaA-kpI