A Boy named Blu

I truly believe that dogs are a gift sent from above, they’re our companions, they’re loyal, forgiving, understanding, kind, trustworthy and they’re our best friends. Their whole life revolves around us, and they love us with their entire heart and soul. We are their family, and they are ours, and that’s exactly the way it’s supposed to be.

Everyone wants a dog when they are little, and for my family up on our hill in Vermont, we have always had dogs. They have run free through our eighty acres of land, chasing after squirrels, going hunting, swimming, going for long walks every day no matter the weather, lounging by the warm fire in the winter, or sitting on the front patio watching the birds in the summer. We have always loved our dogs like family and given them the life they deserve, because they only get about a good ten years before we have to go through that painful cycle of letting go and saying goodbye. And that’s the hardest part, having to say goodbye to the ones who have seen us at our worst and still loved us despite that, the ones who lick our faces and make us laugh, the ones who lay with us in bed every night and steal our covers, but those are memories we wouldn’t have if it weren’t for them, so all we can do is be grateful for the years they do give us.

In December of 2020 is when I got to meet my Blu, a beautiful blue-eyed boy that I rescued from a Louisiana shelter. I knew right away that he was a fighter; as a young puppy he developed Parvo, but he fought hard and survived, sadly something that many pups don’t do. I like to think he fought so hard through that so he could end up with me and live the life he truly deserved.

Since I got him, he has become my best friend and travel companion. We have been to Florida together, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, all over Tennessee where we are living currently, and back home in Vermont. He’s my road trip buddy and he loves every second it. In just over a year we have had so many memories and so much fun together.

One of my favorite memories was when we road-tripped to Alabama last spring to hike to a cave called Stephens Gap. It was about a two and half hour drive from Nashville, and then about an hour hike to the cave and back. We arrived mid-morning to the head of the trail and packed our bags with all the essentials for the hike. Blu was already ecstatic to be there and away from home, tail wagging and jumping; he was ready to go. The hike wasn’t long, but I had never seen him so happy, jumping over rocks and through streams, doing his little trot and smelling new smells, looking back at us often as if to thank us for this little adventure. He was in pure heaven, happiest I had seen him, which is saying a lot because he’s always happy. We met a few people along the way, ate some lunch, explored the cave and waterfalls and through it all his tail was wagging and his eyes were huge – always so curious of the big world around him.

After the beautiful hike and visit to the cave we got back in the car and drove by a field full of yellow flowers and I knew we had to stop. He jumped right out and of course ran right into the mud puddle, jumping and playing like the puppy he still was. We took some pictures and let him play in the field; after about twenty minutes he got tired and laid down with all the beautiful flowers surrounding him. He looked at us with love in his eyes, panting and wagging his tail. I kept thinking to myself that whole day, I wish all dogs could experience this. He was living his best life and it made me so happy to see him so happy. Hiking that trail and watching him run and play in the flower field and just enjoy life, was the day I realized just how good it feels to rescue an animal. To not only save a life and give them the life they really deserve, but to spoil them and take them along in your journeys just like you would with family, because that’s exactly what they are. I think back now and if that was the only day I could have had with him, seeing him so happy and at peace after the things he has been through, that would be the day I would want with him. It was one of the best days that I have ever had and I know it was for Blu as well.

I have had so many wonderful memories in the year that I’ve had him, he makes me laugh all the time, he is bursting with kisses to give away, he gets his famous zoomies, where his back legs can’t quiet keep up with his front, every time we say the word ‘park’, or ‘outside’, or ‘dinner’, and sometimes when he's relaxing he will bite his tongue and it will just stick out of his mouth just a little bit and it never fails to make everyone in the room laugh. He's the biggest sweetheart, and loves everyone and everything he lays his eyes on. He shreds every toy we buy within minutes, sleeps in bed with us every night, and wakes us up in the morning by laying on our pillows, hence why we don’t need alarm clocks anymore. He’s got the biggest heart and wouldn’t hurt a fly, although he will chase them for hours on end. He’s been there to help cheer us up when we’re sad or stressed, he loves belly rubs and being cuddled. He’s got so much love to give and never asks for anything in return, but will take some treats and long walks if offered.

Blu is truly my best-friend and soul mate, my beautiful blue-eyed boy, and I don’t know what I would do without him, but I sure am grateful to have these years with him.