Rescue dog Rusty gets a home for the holidays

Rusty has arthritis, gets around a bit slow and can often be found passed out by 6 p.m. most nights.

In many ways, Rockland Place – a retirement community in Rockland that offers assisted living and memory care – is the perfect place for the rescued 8-year-old dog to live out the rest of his years.

"He's appropriately placed in a geriatric home," said Executive Director Brenda Negron with a laugh. "He's amazing."

Negron and the graying boxer mix first met in November during a trip to Faithful Friends Animal Society when Negron donated supplies to the shelter. The society's Executive Director Jane Pierantozzi couldn't help but introduce the two and suggested that Rusty would make a great addition to the retirement community – a first for Rockland Place.

A dog person herself, Negron said she would at least think about it.

LOCAL:Why holidays are hard for those struggling with addiction

CHRISTMAS JOY:Cancer survivor, 13, has special moment with Biden

After talking it over with her staff, they agreed to give it a try and before long, Rusty was walking the halls of Rockland Place alongside residents. 

"It was hard not to fall in love with him," Negron said.

One trip quickly led to many and residents started looking forward to visits from the drooling dog who adores treats, especially food slyly slipped to him under the table.

Two Fridays before Christmas, amid the sudden snowstorm that left roads icy and slick, Negron found herself returning Rusty to Faithful Friends once again. When she went to leave the shelter that night, the dog tried to follow her out the door.

"He looked back at us like, 'What are you doing?'" Negron recalled. "And I said, 'This is it. We can't keep doing this with this dog.' So now he lives here."

Just days after moving into Rockland Place, Rusty walked back and forth between two residents and Negron. Georgie Cole and Gene Ring took turns popping treats into Rusty's waiting mouth in between pats on the head and thumping tail wags from the dog.

"I think it's rather enlivening" to have him here, Cole said, recalling her own childhood memories. "We had dogs on the farm. ... And he's rather responsive."

Rusty returned the praise with kisses for Cole, his green-and-red bow swinging around his neck.

He's especially affectionate, particularly when treats are involved.

Before long, Rusty will have free roam of Rockford Place. Wander Guard technology used for the community's memory patients keeps him from wandering outside unattended, Negron said. Doors automatically close and lock when he gets too close, and Negron said Rusty will be able to sleep in the rooms of residents as he wishes.

For many, he's the perfect way to make Rockland Place feel like home.

“Rusty has been a gift to us at Faithful Friends," Pierantozzi said, "and now he is a gift to all the residents at Rockland Place who can benefit from his love.”

Already, Negron said she's seen a difference in her staff and in her residents.

"People that don't usually communicate are communicating with him," she said.

Staff members jokingly argue about who will get to take him out next, and he accompanies residents on walks around the grounds. 

But Rusty doesn't stray far from the executive director's side, especially when she seated herself on the floor Friday afternoon.

The dog moved closer, pushing past the hair falling across her face to give Negron a lick on the face.

"You don't have to thank me," she said smiling. "We're the lucky ones."

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.