An Ode to Bluey

The phrase 'we don't deserve dogs' is very popular. And as mainstream as it is, it's true. We don't deserve dogs. I'm going to warn you now, the mood of this entry will be a little more somber. 

This week, my dear friend had to say goodbye to her beloved dog Blue. He was old and while it was his time, it doesn't make it any easier to accept his absence. So, I wanted to talk about Blue today.

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When Blue met my friend B, he was nine years old (if my memory serves me right). He had already lived a large portion of his life with a completely different family in a completely different house with a completely different name. And when B and her family met the big-eared cutie, they knew he was the one. For the next five years, Blue lived a devoted, loved, snack-filled, walked-daily life with B. 

When B told me she had adopted a dog, she told me to be slightly cautious. Blue wasn't exactly cool with strangers and especially not with men. Something must've happened to him to trigger such a strong reaction to men before he met B but they weren't sure what it was. I had completely forgotten her advice on the first day that I met him as I walked through her front door and greeted Blue with a baby voice and open arms. Much to B's delight, he eagerly greeted me. Apparently his openness to scratches and pant leg rubs came with complete surprise. The moment I met him I loved Blue.

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Despite only being with B for five years, it felt like he had been a member of their family since the dawn of time. Like it was destiny. Every time I'd come over he'd be in the front room, staring up at me with his big doe eyes and bushy wagging tail, ready to lean into me for scratches and give nose kisses. It eventually reached the point where I started calling him my 'stepson' and was always ecstatic to give him a new toy at Christmas for his ever growing toy collection. On top of the closeness I have with B, Blue made me feel like a member of the family. 

And he only furthered this sense of belonging when he comforted me after my own dog Buddy passed away.

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My golden boy crossed the Rainbow Bridge in 2018 and I still haven't fully accepted it. A couple of weeks after his passing, B invited me over for a sleepover and to spend time with the other furry friend in my life, 'Bluey Boy'. My first night there I was having a really hard time falling asleep. In fact, I don't think I would have slept if it weren't for Blue. Once B had fallen asleep, I heard rustling from behind me and not long after, watched Blue hop up onto my mattress. We looked at each other for a couple of seconds before I whispered, "what's wrong, Bluey?" For the first and only time I'd known him, I watched Blue walk up and lay down right in front of me, his back cushioning into my chest. And his little doggy paw was now resting in my open palm. It was like he knew, and deep in my heart I feel like he did. 

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No matter what, Blue was always there. So, it's almost scary to think of walking through the front door and not see him sitting there, or find him napping in the laundry room, or playing with his little dinosaur toy in the living room. I've never gotten over it with Bud and I won't get over it with Blue. I can't can imagine how B feels. 

The day before Blue crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I went to go say goodbye to him. I never got a proper goodbye with Buddy so I was grateful to have one with Blue. And while he was dealing with a lot, Bluey still wagged his tail when he saw me and continued to periodically during my visit. He never lost his spark. Bluey gave me a final kiss on the chin, laid down next to me on the top step and at one point, pressed his face into my lap. I'd been able to put on a brave face until that moment. And while I had plenty of time to give him rubs and say goodbye, it'll never be enough. Knowing that he's gone...it sucks. Once Covid is over the world will continue to spin and bounce back, but Blue won't be there to see it. And that sucks.

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He impacted my life more than I can express with words. Bluey Boy, I love you so much. Thank you for being the best furry stepson ever.