our girl blu

our girl blu has been with me for more than 15 years now.  it's been a challenge, to say the least, to have had the responsibility of a dog since i was 21 years old and still in college.  after college, i was flitting about. . .searching for myself in various locales.  finding apartments to rent that allowed large dogs was never an easy task, and i often found myself living in situations that weren't my first choice. . .for the love of my canine companion.  like my first apartment in KC after college. . .living in an apartment "community" in the suburbs where dogs (under 25 pounds) were allowed.  each time i took her outside, i panicked that i'd be busted for having a 65 pound dog.  but i wasn't. 

it also wasn't easy being a spontaneous young purveyor of travel and adventure while having a dog that needed my daily attention and restricted spur of the moment overnight trips.  it was especially difficult not having family around to help out when i needed an dog sitter or just someone to let the poor girl out when i was working 12 hour days trying to forge ahead in my career and make ends meet.  (shout out to my mom, for helping out when she could.)

but somehow, she and i managed.  it wasn't an easy road.  there were times when vet bills and prescriptions took priority over me getting new shoes or even dinner.  there were times when i returned from a long day of work to find the last few pieces of bread i was planning on making into a PB&J for dinner were nowhere to be found. . .stolen off the counter with only a shredded plastic bag to be found later, tucked beneath the couch. 

 but there were also times when i was alone in a new city. . .not knowing anyone. . .and blu was there to snuggle up on the couch and watch TV with me.  or all the times we went for walks, runs or hikes or explored new rivers or lakes together. . .just the two of us.  there were endless sunny days, playing frisbee in the park for hours. . .and several not so sunny days in Portland tromping through the mud and muck.  and of course there were all those nights, sleeping alone in new apartments in unfamiliar places when i felt safe knowing she was by my side and would at least sound tough should any intruders come around. 

when i met my husband, he was not a dog person.  he said he was, but all i had to do was introduce him to blu to know he was not.  oh, he was nice to her of course, but in that non-dog person kind of way when they just pat them on the head instead of getting in there for a good face licking or romp on the floor.  after touching her, he promptly went to wash his hands.  i was concerned we might have a problem.  but this all changed quickly.  i had to leave town for a few days and adam offered to watch blu. . .the true test.  i returned to a completely different scene. . .adam and blu spooning on the couch.  it hadn't taken him long to fall for those sweet brown eyes.  and now he's more of a sucker for the chocolates than i am! 

sweet, sweet blu. . .who ended up with me through destiny.  it still amazes me that she still chugs on.  but boy am i grateful! 

ol blu isn't getting around as well these days.  there are no more hikes or frisbee in the park.  we seldom go for walks and never further than just down the block.  she no longer jumps up on the bed looking for extra comfy spot to nap.  in fact the last few months have been a struggle.  she has a really tough time getting those back legs up under her enough to get up.  she's never liked being alone, so we frequently hear a signal bark when she's accidentally been left alone, ordering "please come get me".  to which we respond with a little lift around the waist and a little help getting steady until she can walk away unassisted.  i know it is not long until we must make the decision that her time has come.  and it is with that sad realization that i post in honor of my girl blu today. 

she's never been into getting her picture taken.  often when you try to snap a shot of her, she'll quickly look away from the camera in disgust.  but here are some of my favorite photos of her over the years.