It is with a heavy heart that I annouce the passing of the legendary and "one and only" Blue. He touched so many lives, in so many ways...anyone who knew him became a different shade of Blue.

I thought I was prepared. I thought I understood how death works and how I would handle it. To lose someone who you love more than life, is a complicated and profound experience. Blue was an extraordinary soul. I had him in my life from when he was 6 weeks old to 16 years old. We were never apart a single day or night of that time. My life revolved around him… every job I took, every home I lived in, every companion and animal I took in – all chosen to suit Blue. He defined me. I cherish every memory of our journey and the paths he took me down.  

Blue was known for his intelligence and sense of humor. He knew a vast array of tricks that he ad-libbed at the most opportune times. We shared every meal – he ate mostly home cooked food. He loved sitting on chairs, and especially at the dinner table. As our other dogs would gather around to beg, Blue would politely ignore them until he had finished eating. He always saved a few pieces from his plate – a piece of potato, green pepper, or if they were lucky, some of his eggs. He would nudge the left over pieces of food onto the floor for the other dogs!  They actually sat and begged as if he were a person because they knew he would always give them a handout.

He was athletic, amazingly fast and agile. A water maniac. No one will forget the Barbie Corvette that he actually “drove” and honked the horn. Or his wardrobe of Halloween costumes…bumble bee, bomber pilot, hot dog, and the all time favorite – Batman, complete with cape and mask!  He was a master at opening Christmas and Birthday presents, holding it steady with both paws and careful not to destroy the gift while tearing open the box.

He is probably best remembered for his accident prone phase that lasted about 10 years. He was shot by a burglar at 1 yr old, knocked out by a baseball (twice) at a ball game, contracted Giardia, jumped out of a moving car, tripped while running full speed with a stick in his mouth, was diagnosed with SARS and should have gone blind within a month but never did…the list goes on and on. At age 13 yrs (2003) he suffered two strokes with both vestibulitis and temporary paralysis on the right side of his face. He overcame it in record time. We practiced exercises to retrain his brain and he was able to still catch treats and even play frisbee while leaning to the left!  That was all that mattered to him. In February of 2006 he developed a large tumor on his right front paw. It was cancer and we removed it. The bone cancer came back and he lost three toes. Soon after, he lost his entire right front leg. At 16 yrs old, Blue not only survived three major surgeries, but within weeks was hopping down the stable corridor with me. Between June and Sept he had three more minor surgeries to remove melanoma cancer from his throat and jaw. Four days before Blue passed on the persistent cancer came back in the soft pallet of his mouth and quickly spread down his throat. It was inoperable.

It seems excessive to put a dog through so many surgeries, but each and every time we evaluated Blue’s demeanor and overall health. I don’t regret a single moment leading up to his passing. This dog absolutely would not give up. He was happy, functional and with me every minute of my work day as if nothing were amiss. His last night we ate a ridiculous amount of Chinese food and chocolate!  As we snuggled in bed I realized that was pretty much a typical evening for Blue – it felt good to know that his life was so good I couldn’t top it.

Blue is not only missed by all his human friends, but also by the hundreds of dogs who passed through our home on the road to rehabilitation and finding their own families. Second Chance Ranch (formerly Blue Dog Rescue) exists because of Blue. He shared the life of “rescue” with me and took it seriously. Honestly, the rescue dogs and wolves learned more from him than from me, and benefited greatly from his presence. He calmed the fears of the most timid and had a mellowing effect on the most aggressive.

He was so embedded into my life… each day has a new “first” for me. The first time I vacuumed without him insisting I could maneuver around him. The first time I ate without him there (that is still the hardest). The first time I drove without him in the co-pilot position. The first time I changed the sheets on our bed without him skillfully laying on one side, then moving to the other but never actually getting off the bed. The first shower without him lying outside the tub like a body guard. Every time I go from the stables to the house I am reminded he is not following and I don’t have to hold the door open…but I still do.

As his physical presence fades the spiritual tie grows stronger and I am finding him (his presence) everywhere. There is a memory attached to the wind rustling through the trees, water spraying from the hose, warm blankets out of the dryer…wherever I look for him, he is there. I could always count on him for that.

Thanks to all of you who loved and appreciated My Blue Dog!  

Katie