TANK

A tribute to the passing of our best friend

By Demise Vanover Rusk

Our dog Tank passed away today. He was nearing nine and that’s getting up there for an English Mastiff. Our son Artre dropped Tank off at our home when he was in the military. He was deployed too often to take care of Tank. Tank was territorial. He walked the perimeter of our back yard daily. Trey could say, “Go Get Em” and Tank would run to the fence and bark that low loud unmistakable roar.

However, he was a house dog. I’ll admit at 6’ 7” from tail to nose and 225 pounds he took up a lot of space. The AKC Standard says, "A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor." They also mention that an English Mastiff is stubborn, gassy, drools constantly and is prone to very loud snoring. He loved to play soccer with the grandkids and could kick the ball. He never once knocked one of them down or became threatening.

We couldn’t walk Tank without people pulling over to pet and discuss him. He was that big. We once had a tree trimmer stop by looking for work. He pointed out a tree in the back yard and without waiting, headed that way. The gate was open and Tank greeted him with the roar of a lion. The tree trimmer ran to the street and yelled back in a stammer that he couldn’t do the job. Tank didn’t chase him, but stood there with his chest out.

Tank and Trey would watch television in the bedroom. Tank loved peanut butter crackers and pork skins for snacks. He slept at the foot of our bed on his own mattress and snored. He hated thunder and our other dog Bella would curl up next to him during a storm.

He gradually needed assistance to stand and we helped him for nearly a year. We gave him meds for comfort but this morning he let us know that he was hurting and couldn’t get up anymore. As the Vet put him down, Trey whispered in his ear, “Go Get Em”.

Tank brought happiness to our home and we will miss him.

Denise Rusk is married to a longtime Texas law enforcement agent.