My darkest, most disappointing summer had a silver lining. Unexpectedly, our daughter adopted a rescue dog named Bluey, and instantly, I became a dog grandma.
Her Bluey, named for the anthropomorphic character in the Australian animated television series, gave our pediatrician daughter instant credibility with the kiddos she treats in her practice.
The medium-sized, two-year-old Australian cattle dog (Blue Heeler) mixed with a bit of pitbull, husky and chow, has tons of energy, imagination and curiosity about the world.
My daughter adopted Bluey and Bluey adopted me.
After being sidelined by another bad accident, as soon as I was released from the hospital, Bluey corralled me as if herding wounded livestock.
He became my protector, tracking my whereabouts, checking that I was safel
y tucked in bed, or on the floor or in a chair. He paced around until I settled, then curled up beside me like a guard dog.
After being confined to a hospital, sprawling across the back yard with Bluey brought no greater delight. The first time I looked at my bruised and battered face, my daughter was concerned I would be shocked and upset. Instead I exclaimed “Aw, I look like Bluey!”
On my worst days, in too much pain to move, I dangled my arm off the edge of the bed finding comfort petting his short coat.
Bluey’s stunning coloring, black with brown trim, a white collar and white and brown specked underside draws admiring glances, but his goofy face attracts smiles. Mischievous brown eyes dance behind black patches. One pointed ear stands up straight; the other folds over his forehead. His upright, curly chow tail gives him a look of aristocracy.
His perky, inquisitive face with his tongue hanging out sideway dares you to join in the next adventure.
Like the rest of McKinzie clan, unsurprisingly Summit Lake, Wisconsin, became Bluey’s favorite spot too. Nowhere in the world has greater appeal than the Great Northwoods. He adores any activity that calls for athleticism, intelligence, and endurance!
He also loves water - so much that his first time at the cabin he got swimmer’s tail because he wouldn’t get out of the lake. He now has a life jacket, so that he can swim to his heart’s content without spraining his tail muscles.
Bluey can run faster, jump higher, swim farther than I ever could dreamed of even at the height of my career. Though I will always long to run, jump and play, nothing brings me more joy now then watching Bluey race across the yard, chase a squirrel up a tree or swim to greet a paddle boarder in the middle of the lake.
Australian cattle dogs, bred in the mid 1800s to herd cattle long distances in rough terrain, are smart, strong and hardy. He treats me fondly as his responsibility, but his true devotion belongs to Nathalie. He is fiercely loyal, protective and affectionate with his owner - to the point where he will bark angrily at me if I dare to ask Nat a question while she is relaxing on the couch with him. She claims he just understands that reading time is sacred.
Known as a “wash and wear” breed, Bluey requires little grooming, but his care can be time- consuming. He must be challenged with lots of exercise, puzzles to solve and tasks to complete. Otherwise, he will create his own trials, such as “how much food can I steal off the counter?”
So far he has gotten a raw steak, a chicken wing, a pork loin that was set out to thaw, a piece of pizza and a tortilla. Sadly for him, he usually gets caught before he can enjoy the spoils of his shenanigans.
Bluey offers ongoing distraction and never ending entertainment. If discouraged by life’s disappointments, detours and disasters, there is no greater comfort than a faithful dog that listens without judgment or interruption.
Although Bluey regularly gets the ‘zoomies’, sprinting through the house at breakneck speeds for no apparent reason, when we went on walks he instinctively slowed his pace to match mine. Never mind that my bodyguard (my ever loyal Frenchman) was only a step away. The day that I could finally hold the leash and walk Bluey, I knew I would recover. Nothing helped me heal faster my new four legged best friend.
