In 2001, I met a beautiful woman. We went out to dinner for our first date, and by the time we said good night, I knew that she wanted a yellow lab to go with her new house. As we began dating, she found a reputable breeder and put down a deposit on a puppy. She even made the road trip to the wilds of central Kentucky to pick out her puppy a few days after the litter was born. She picked out a tiny, little white Lab puppy who snuggled up in her arms when picked up.
A couple months later, we packed Girlie Bear and Little Bear and drove out to get the puppy. I was glad that I only brought enough to pay for the pup Irish Woman had already selected, because there is no better marketing than a playpen full of Labrador puppies and two kids under the age of five. We brought Bluegrass home that day.
She was fuzzy, and friendly, and photogenic.
She was curious about the world around her.
She was good with the kids.
But, she didn’t stay a fuzzy pup for long. She grew….
and grew….
and grew.
She ran like a thoroughbred,
and was an excellent watch dog.
For a water dog, she wasn’t very impressed with the lake, but she got into it after a while.
Eventually, she started to show her age, and enjoyed a lot of nights relaxing in front of the fire, with her big brother…
and little.
We had to let go of Blue yesterday. She’d been struggling to get up and down for a long time, and it was becoming very plain that she was never really comfortable. She developed a hard, hacking cough on Saturday night, and the vet told us that it was either pneumonia or tumors in her lungs. We said our goodbyes, then I held her while the doctor ended her pain.
Bluegrass was a sweet, playful, loving, and fun part of our family. Irish Woman commented last night on how quiet the house was without her snoring or her trips around the house to check that all the doors were closed and that all the kids were in their beds. We will miss her.
Bluegrass – September 2001 to December 2014 – Mama’s PupPup and Piglet
DaddyBear’s Den 
bluesun
/ December 23, 2014A Good Dog.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014That she was.
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Irish
/ December 23, 2014A nice tribute to a member of your family. Sorry for your loss.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thank you
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Bob
/ December 23, 2014Hey DB,
I really understand your pain and your loss. When I met my spousal unit in 1994, When we became an item, we also got a weenie dog. Roxie. She lived 17.5 years before a stroke forced us to make the decision to make her pain go away. I did the same as you did as the vet ended her suffering and that was hard thing to do. If I recall you immortalized Blue in your book so she will live forever.
I am a believer in the “Rainbow Bridge” and she will greet me when I walk to St Peter for an accounting on the ledger, that is what I believe.
Sorry for your loss.
Respectfully
Bob
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thanks, Bob. If she’s waiting for me, it’ll be a good day
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Coop
/ December 23, 2014I’m sorry for your loss.
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Drang
/ December 23, 2014Cats want to know why Dad’s allergies are acting up.
Sympathies go out to all the Minivanidian Clan for your loss.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thanks, Drang
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Andrew
/ December 23, 2014We’ve felt that pain thrice in the last decade. Condolences from our family to yours, sir.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thanks
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MaddMedic
/ December 23, 2014Condolences in a difficult time.
But many good memories she gave you…
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JustJohn
/ December 23, 2014I am so sorry for your loss, and my condolences to your family. After reading your blog for a couple of years, I believe that you are one man that lives up to the saying; I hope to be as good a man as my dog thinks I am.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thanks.
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Jennifer
/ December 23, 2014Beautiful girl. I am so very sorry for your loss.
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daddybear71
/ December 23, 2014Thanks, Jennifer. She was beautiful and as strong as an ox.
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Ruth
/ December 24, 2014I’m so sorry.
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daddybear71
/ December 24, 2014Thanks, Ruth.
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docheidrich
/ December 25, 2014I am so so so sorry. It’s not fair that they precede us so. May you find some peace in knowing she is well now.
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daddybear71
/ December 26, 2014Thanks. Yes, she’s not suffering, and hopefully has found a good grassy field to nap in.
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