He was not just one family's pet or one man's companion in the field. For nearly 13 years, from earliest puppyhood, the bird dog Rufus was a recurring character in C.W. Gusewelle's thrice-weekly column in the Kansas City Star. Rufus' triumphs were celebrated, his escapades and misdemeanors recorded. Readers thought of him as their own. The plan at first was that he would be an out-door dog. In his youth, though, no fence could hold him. Rufus made his devious way inside, cultivated a taste for bagels, discovered the comforts of couch and air conditioning. But when the light shortened and the summer foliage began to dry, the wind of the season's turning would wake in him again the passion that ruled his heart--his eagerness for the hunt. In the early darkness of a certain November morning he would be waiting beside the door. Age and hurts might slow him. They could not dull his devotion to the morning rides, frosty meadows, and the scent of the coveyed quail in the moment before the rise. And always, it seemed, their would be another autumn. In some way, this brave and affectionate Brittany came to represent all of those creatures who share our lives and claim our hearts. This is Rufus' story. Charles Gusewelle sings the bittersweet song of anyone who has ever loved a good dog. I image Forrest Gump would have been very proud to have had Rufus as a friend. Exalt yourself and read this book now! --Winston Groom, Author of Forrest Gump Gusewelle writes about his dog but always he's writing about us, about love and time and not wasting either. --The Akron Beacon Journal Charles W. Gusewelle joined the Kansas City Star in 1955 as a general assignment reporter. Later, he served as editorial writer on foreign affairs, foreign editor, associate editor and columnist. He is the author of twelve books and was inducted into the Writers Hall of Fame of America in 2000 and the Missouri Press Association Newspaper Hall Fame in 2007. He received the Paris Reviews Aga Khan Prize for Fiction in 1977. Gusewelle also wrote and narrated documentaries and video essays for Kansas City Public Television.