28/07/2025
Have you ever wondered how I came up with the name ?
I figured it would be a good time to share the story—though don't mind the tears that may hit the keyboard as I type.
When I decided to start my own equine nutrition business—something that had been a dream for many, many years—I knew it needed a name that truly meant something to me. Most of you who follow this page knew my dogs, Dixie and Russell, but some of you don’t. So let’s start the journey by introducing them and sharing who they were.
Russell came into my life when I wasn’t looking for a dog. I already had one, was 24 years old, and working my way through the uncertainties of adulthood. He had been found in a box with a few other puppies down by the river in Kansas City and was only about five weeks old. I saw one blurry picture of him and instantly knew he was my partner. We bonded from day one.
Everywhere I went, Russell went. I spent my lunch breaks with him and planned every outing around where he could join me. He came into my life at a time when I needed to grow the most, and he taught me how to love unconditionally. Russell was some sort of pit bull, Doberman, and Boxer mix, with the most perfect underbite and tan, expressive eyebrows. At around 75 pounds, he was my lap dog, my body pillow, and my shoulder to cry on.
We traveled across many states, went to countless horse shows, and moved into five different houses—he was always by my side. Russell was goofy, smart, loyal, and loving. He adored baby animals, helped raise kittens, chickens, bunnies, puppies, and eventually, for a short time, my own daughter. He loved food, anything soft and cozy, and basking in the warm sun. He was with us through the first four months of my daughter’s life and loved her too.
I had 13.5 wonderful years with Russell. I could go on and on with stories, but I know you don’t have time for all of them. Eventually, old age and internal tumors told us it was time to let him go. He was peacefully set free on August 1st, 2024.
Dixie entered my husband’s life in the spring of 2013. He had been looking for a golden retriever but stumbled upon a Craigslist ad for a skinny little brindle puppy who looked far too young to be weaned. She was a Lab–Mastiff mix—wormy and underweight—but she hit the jackpot with him. They were best friends from the start.
Their personalities matched perfectly, and they spent their days adventuring around Austin, TX—hanging out at bars, visiting pools, and making new friends everywhere. Dixie was about two years old when I met my husband and, soon after, met Russell. It was love at first sight. Dixie and Russell were inseparable.
Once she moved to the farm, Dixie fully embraced country life—playing in the mud, jumping in the horses’ water tanks, chasing (unfortunately) skunks, and even digging potatoes out of the garden. She was pure joy. Everyone who met Dixie got an infectious smile. She traveled to horse shows, loved kids, adored the water, and happily accepted anything you handed her to eat.
Dixie taught me to see the light in everything. Her joy was overwhelming in the best way. She helped guide our daughter through her first year of life and showed her how to love animals. Dixie gave us 12 incredible years, but couldn’t make it longer than eight months without her best friend. We always said she would never let us know something was wrong until it really was—because she just wanted everyone to be happy.
That’s exactly what happened. When we found the cancer in her body, it took only a few days for her to let us know she was ready to go be with Russell and watch over us from above. She passed peacefully on April 17th, 2025.
So, I named my business after two of the most important souls we’ll ever know—RU (Russell) and DIX (Dixie). I chose the name before we had to say goodbye to them, and I’m so glad I did. RUDIX will always be special, and I believe it will thrive with their spirit guiding it.
We may never experience another bond quite like the ones we had with them—but shortly after Dixie passed, we rescued a sweet boy named Bosco. In just a few weeks, he has already brought so much love into our lives, and we see little glimpses of Russell and Dixie in him every day.
So keep an eye out—Bosco will definitely be joining in on the fun too!
