Ruby

Ruby was a red-boned coonhound, but to my husband she was always Princess Puppy. The kids fully agreed — they used to take photos of her and add little crowns to her head, because honestly, it fit. She carried herself like royalty… even when she was being an absolute menace.

Ruby was legendary for counter surfing. Nothing was safe. She would eat anything. Once, she devoured an entire box of Cobs cream cheese cinnamon buns — and chased it down with my husband’s raw steak that was already prepped for the BBQ. No shame. No regrets.

But oh, she was so incredibly loving. Ruby didn’t just give kisses — she went all in. She would try to lick the inside of your nose, like she was aiming straight for your brain. If she decided you needed affection, she’d pin you down and make sure you got it.

On walks, she loved to steal gloves and proudly carry them like prized treasures. She paddle boarded with us like it was the most natural thing in the world. She rode in the front seat of the car like a human, soaking it all in. And I don’t think a single day went by without someone stopping us to say, “She is so pretty — what’s her name and breed?”

My father-in-law used to call her a force of nature, and he wasn’t wrong. But if you really knew Ruby, you knew her softer side. At night, she would curl right into the backs of your legs under the blankets, warm and content. I called her Rubes.

She was my best friend. I still cry when I talk about her.

Looking back now, I think she knew I had cancer before I did. She started resting her head across my left breast, staying close in a way that felt protective… like she was trying to tell me something before I was ready to hear it. 💔

Ruby wasn’t just a dog. She was love, chaos, comfort, and loyalty wrapped into one unforgettable soul.

RIP Ruby 2021 - 2025