Both are safe, having moved away from the forest fire.
For those of you who are new to my blog, Rusty and Timber made national news last year when Timber was lost in the mountains of central Utah. Rusty was heartbroken, of course, and had to return to Arizona to get away from the smoke of forest fires.
Fortunately Timber was found by a man who lives in Colorado. His daughter posted information about Timber online. A lady in New York State who reads my blog saw the lost dog information and notified me. I checked it and, sure enough, it looked like Timber!
Excitedly I contacted Rusty with the news. A phone call confirmed the dog was Timber. Rusty took off in his 1975 Ford truck with camper body, driving from his camp in Arizona to Colorado where he reunited with his pal and brought him home.
As all this unfolded on this blog, in the newspaper, and in a video on television, readers developed an affection for Rusty and Timber. Our hearts were broken when we heard of Rusty’s loss and we were jubilant when the reunion occurred about two months later. Tears were shed and friends were made. That was last fall.
Early this year Rusty applied for housing through the VA. He realized the time had come to leave the life of a vagabond.
Rusty’s excited about a new chapter opening in the life he shares with his beloved Timber. He looks forward to cooking in a full-size kitchen, sleeping in a big bed where he can stretch out (Rusty’s a tall guy!), and harvesting fresh vegetables from his own garden.
Rusty and Timber are still living in the camper as they await news of their new home.
Here’s an excerpt of an email Rusty sent me (Tuesday evening, June 18, 2013):
Hi Sue,
We had to move back to Kaibab NF, east of Williams. They closed Prescott NF. The fire is heading towards Chino Valley. The state Forester and the NF is bringing in more fire fighters, airplanes to combat this fire, the winds have died down. . . 5000 Acres with no homes touched yet. The smoke is covering the whole north state of AZ.
We are waiting for all that needs to be done with HUD. Timber might get a different trainer after we are in. My Doctor wants to send me to Phoenix for a thyroid test . . . that means Timber will stay home. I asked him to wait till we’re settled in before he sends me. I really think that when I start getting good food in me, my blood pressure will go down, but I need a home for that to happen.
Rusty and Timber
Thanks, Rusty, for giving me permission to share your email.
rvsue
Thank you to Rusty for allowing you to post his email. I was just telling my husband, Joe, last night about Rusty’s situation. I will be so happy to hear he is situated in his own home with a bed that fits him. And I’ll bet Timber will enjoy that too. I can’t imagine that inhaling that smoke is doing his lungs any good. Always enjoy your blog Sue.
Glad to hear Rusty and Timber are safe. Can’t wait until they get their home….and we all can shop.
The Rusty and Timber story STILL makes me smile. With your first posting ….when Rusty paused..after telling you Timber was missing..just about made me choke up. I am so glad they are doing well and progress is being made with their housing.
A lady? I’ve been called a lot of things in my life…..heheh lady is a first! 🙂
For Rusty
Sunkmanitu Tanka Owaci 🙂
A kind, considerate, generous Lady, CinandJules
A kind, considerate, generous gentleman, Mick!
With your generosity…Sue doesn’t have to search search and search for a great signal. Hats off to you…St Mick!
And I can take photos and not twist my ankle when hiking and I can have solar power and I can tilt my panel and I can . . .
How about “could you” if you will. I’m loving the Casita Patriot 13′. Could you, if it were only you (I know, I know, you can’t imagine a scenario without your furry duo), be comfortable in the 13′ Casita? It has the same bath as yours, same kitchen, but only a smaller dinette/bed, no side dinette. Would that work out or is it crazy to go that small? It would work if I have screen room for additional 10 sq ft living space. What % of day are you outside under the awning? Your opinion would help me a lot! Hang on, Rusty, you’re almost to the finish line!
Gayle . . . I’m not sure why my opinion has any value on this topic because everyone is different, but I’m happy to answer as best I can.
Some days I’m outside 80% of the day. Other days about 10% (bad weather or blog stuff to do). Your percentage isn’t likely to be the same as mine. I eat outside, read outside, do maintenance tasks outside, walk with the crew and play outside . . .
I could live in 13 feet by myself. It would be more challenging but I could do it. Having a tow vehicle with lots of storage room would be critical with such a small trailer.
It sounds like you already have a 13-ft Patriot that you love, so why not give it a go? Experience is the best teacher.
One more thing… If you’re leaning toward purchasing a 13-footer because you think it would be easier to tow and to park, please reconsider. It would be worth it to get over that “hurdle” and have more living space. My opinion doesn’t count for much. People live successfully in cars.
…and some are just happy to plop down in a muddy stream bed and feel at home! Thanks for your viewpoint. I spend most of my time at a campsite outside and am in my minivan only to sleep. (I think that’s the point of camping!)
I’ll dance with Timber in the home in about two weeks, maybe three, cause of the fire being so close to Chino Valley, and yes he has a little Wolf in him, so you are right about Dancing with Wolves, Cindy and Jules,,,,Love that movie
I mean CinandJules, Thanks for finding my buddy and sniff, sniff, all and thanks for “Dances with Wolves” the long movie, We watch it at least once a week,,,,,,, AAhooooooool
I love that movie too, Rusty. We were all so happy when you got your buddy back. A big shout out of Thanks for everyone involved in that. Sure hope you can get into your place soon.
“Dancing With Wolves” is my all time favorite movie.
Glad you allowed Sue to post, since I was apparently the curious one. I was so touched by your story on the news which is, also, how I found out about Sue and the Crew.
Take care of yourself, I’m sure you will enjoy your new home.
Sue, I certainly do understand your loyalty to Rusty and wouldn’t consider that you would respond to my request without consulting him first. I admire your loyalty, integrity and courage.
great update, sue & rusty~thanks so much!
Great that they’ll have the stable home they need. Good luck to both of them!
Stay safe Rusty and Timber! We were in your neighborhood last week but didn’t know how to get in touch. Just two nights in Chino Valley then headed on to Camp Verde. There were no fires in sight when we left Sunday so this must have gotten big fast! Rusty, thank you for keeping in touch with us through RVSue! Please know that you and Timber are loved by many people you will never meet! We all care about what happens to you! I can’t wait to see your new home!
Thanks Geri, We must of passed each other, We have been looking at items we would like to have in our home at Home Depot, Lowes, Olson’s Grain Feed stores and Wal Mart + Amazon. com ….Timber and I have been in the home we are getting and we’re happy about this home. And thanks to all for your support and prayers, but I ask you all to pray for the folks who are displaced of their homes be cause of the fire and pray for the fire fighters that they stay safe in containing the fire near Prescott AZ.,,,,Rusty n’ Timber,,,,Arf arf
I was reading another blogger last night (forget who) who was in the Camp Verde area, and they posted pictures of the smoke from their camp site. I believe they said they were about 20 miles from the fire. That’s the one good thing about full-timing…when something is threatening, you can always pull up stakes and leave!
And so glad with the update on Rusty too; I was afraid I might have missed it!
Thanks for the update, Sue. So happy that Rusty and Timber are out of danger. Blessings to all of you.
Very very happy things are going to come together for Rusty and Timber. Was thinking that maybe things were held up. It takes so long for the government to move on things, even important things like finding housing. It must be so exciting for them! And yes Rusty, we will pray for all those people whose houses are at risk, but we’re also praying for you and your new home!
Rusty and Timber,
So glad things are progressing for your new home. We are all excited and pleased on this new chapter in your lives. You are a blessing to us.
Please keep us advised on the address for our housewarming wishes to you!
Wish the government would stop dragging their feet and start helping the vets. Oh sure they give them lots of lip service, but it gripes me to no end to see a Vet on a street corner holding a sign that says, VETERAN PLEASE HELP. Do “We The People” have to march on Washington DC before something is done to help them find homes to live in? And I ask you, didn’t we do just that back during the Great Depression? Are we going to start numbering the Depressions like we do Wars? Does history always have to be done again and again and again…?
Joe, The hold up is not the government as you say, There is a nice lady and her 3 dogs who is living in the home that we are getting, Her lease is up the 20th, then HUD checks the said home to make sure everything works, they will check the home the 26th, when passed We move in, I have faith and trust my REP, all is set.
And the VA is doing there job, just go to their site and read
!!!!
So glad to hear the update and knowing you are so close to getting in your home. I’ve been wondering how you were doing. So many people are so excited for you. How great is that? Take care.
I’m Excited, thank you, Donna . I’m praying the fire gets put out, the smoke is over the home we’re getting
Happy to hear the good news.
Hoooaaa, As we would say in the ol’ Army of the 60s