‘The Earth needs more Rosemarys’

Friends, family celebrate memory of longtime dog rescue volunteer

By ALEXANDER POPP | alex@appenmedia.com

DUNWOODY, Ga. —

To nearly all who knew or met her, Dunwoody resident Rosemary Rutland was an unrelenting force of selflessness, generosity and positivity.

Friends and family said Rutland dedicated herself to supporting and caring for animals in the community for decades, helping countless dogs find forever homes with loving families in the process.

Rutland died Jan. 23 at the age of 64 after a protracted battle with pancreatic cancer, but those who knew her best said her legacy will live on through the lives of people and animals her work affected.

“She is going to be a tremendous loss,” Rutland’s longtime friend Lisa Johnson said.

Johnson, who founded Ruff Dog Rescue in Milton, said Rutland was a master at seeing, “the extraordinary out of the ordinary” and loved helping the most difficult dogs, no matter what type of care they needed.

See RUTLAND, Page 4

HANNAH WILDNER/PROVIDED

Friends and family of longtime Dunwoody resident and volunteer, Rosemary Rutland, say she was utterly dedicated to helping both people and animals.

Business

ALEX POPP/APPEN MEDIA

General Manager Britney “BK” Keane holds a freshly tapped pint of Guinness behind the bar at the King George Tavern with Dunwoody Restaurant Group founder Huw Thomas.