More about my great big boy - His name is Rufus which happened to be my grandfather's name. We found our Rufus via the Rescue site. So after checking with my dad that that name wouldn't be an issue. We started the adoption process. On the internet he was nicknamed Shorty. (My hero cousin who died in Viet Nam was nicknamed Shorty. He was also a grandson of Rufus). Rufus was a smaller dog but riddled with heartworm and going through his last round of treatments. He couldn't be released from the state of TX until clear. Finally in October we were able to drive down and meet our boy. He was perfect. Exactly what we wanted. We found him on a ranch on Bell avenue. (My grandpa Rufus had married Myrtle "Bell". Oh there are other quirks that make our connection a meant-to-be-one, but these are the most important to me.