Blue

I wasn’t actively looking for a dog, but had always wanted one. I knew it would be a lifetime commitment and I would keep that commitment. A friend told me about an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) that a family was planning to give away to the Humane Society. They got her as a puppy, but once she became a dog they didn’t want her. The first time I saw Blue she lied down and wanted me to rub her belly. She was overweight, with a small head and big ears. I told the family I would let them know if I could take her. I couldn’t stop thinking about that funny looking dog. I thought about her even when I wasn’t trying to. I knew I had to have her. I picked her up the next weekend and within a week both of her back legs were collapsing. I called the past owners and they said that never happened before. Sure, sure it didn’t I thought. I didn’t want to give her back so I had surgery done on both her back knees. She was great after that! She was so happy to run, jump and play. Blue was smart, loved to chase prairie dogs, squirrels, and rabbits. She looked into every hole on the trails looking for something hiding inside she could pounce on. She could do lots of tricks and for the most part was very obedient unless there was something to chase. She loved food, any food, all food and was happy to clean leftovers from any plate. She loved the water and enjoyed swimming and baths. Blue had lost her sight in one eye to glaucoma when she was about 7. I had surgery done to remove her eye and put in a prosthetic.  Blue adapted just fine over a few weeks. Usually the 2nd eye will go blind within a year to glaucoma, but Blue kept her 2nd eye for almost 5 years before she went blind in that eye too.  I had the surgery done to remove her eye and sew it shut. Glaucoma is painful so that is the reason you need to remove the eye. This was very hard on both Blue and I. She was now totally blind and over the next few weeks she started having problems with her liver. After many doctor visits to CSU, medications, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.  Blue was in liver failure. She was 12 years old and what I wouldn’t do to just have one more day with her.  She wasn’t well, her tail didn’t wag anymore and she only existed for me. I knew it was time to let her go. She was my Blueberry, my Bluebird, my Waggy Butt Girl, my Love. God gave me a great blessing when Blue came into my life – a true love.