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The Story of Bloo

I was looking for a new member of my family since my 15-year-old American Eskimo died last year. After Hurricane Katrina, I signed up to be a foster parent. There were a couple of Siberian Huskies that I thought I was going to be asked to foster, but found other placement before it came to fruition.

I had decided to go to another shelter to meet a few dogs, and get a feel for who I was looking for. I was thinking a female, but you never know who will steal your heart. There was a young female who I was very fond of, her name was Lucy, and I sure hope she found a home.

As I was leaving this other shelter, I found that I had a voice mail on my cell phone. As I listened to the voice, I knew everything happens for a reason.

Debbie, from A New Leash on Life, was telling me all about this Husky that wasn't from the hurricane rescue, was living right here in my hometown, but was in desperate need for a home. I agreed to go and meet him that night. I took two friends with me, and we all fell in love immediately!

His name is Bloo, and he had quite the life story. You see? His caretaker at the time was a disabled elderly lady who could barely take care of herself. One of her family members had come to visit, and left the dog when they departed. Bloo had been chained to this woman's porch for the better part of his life - only 6 feet of chain, and the woman's son was famous for parking his beat-up car right in the middle of his 6 foot radius.

The lady was very kind to him, certainly not a rich woman and not strong enough to care for such a big dog. She'd been asking for help to re-home him for many months, and I know she tried to do the best she could.

We expected his spirit to be broken, or fearful of people, or overly aggressive. I mean, I would have more issues than The Reader's Digest if I'd been chained up that long!

However, when we arrived, Bloo discarded all of our concerns. If I could translate his 'Bloo-speak, I would bet he said "PEOPLE! I LOVE PEOPLE! PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE!" He was so loving and funny, that I never had a chance.  He stole my heart from the very first time I met him! As I left him there that night, I couldn't stop thinking about him. It was so hard to leave him there, even just for one more night. I cried and cried.  I even dreamed about the big ole boy!

The next day, I called Debbie (the foster agency), and asked if I could pick him up that day, and she agreed.  I picked up Bloo from his previous caretaker's house on my lunch hour, and took him for his first vet visit. The poor guy was so dirty, I thought he had some brown fur mixed with the black and white! His skin was really scabby and flaky, and he only weighed about 45 pounds!

He had a physical exam, a bath, vaccinations, and everything else he needed to come home with me. After work, I went back to pick him up, and he was so happy to see me! When we got him home, we realized that the rope that had chained him for so long was still around his neck, lost in all that fur. It was so tight, we had to cut it off. I still have it, and I look at it sometimes and remind myself just how far he's come.

After the vet visit, I stayed home with him for 4 days (it was a holiday weekend). During that time, I found out just what a lover he was!  When I sat down at the toy box trying to determine what kind of toys he might like, he came over to me, lay down between me and the toy box and put his head right in my lap, exposing his belly for some love! He didn't want the toys.  He just wanted hugs and kisses. Of course, I obliged.

Within 2 weeks, he had become fast friends with his new brother - my 10-year-old Pomeranian 'Bandit', found a sister in 'Ellie' (my neighbor's German Shepherd) and became "fence buddies" with 'Ky' - the Welsh Corgi next door.

Well, needless to say, I had to let Debbie know that the jig was up. I was no longer interested in fostering Bloo.  I wanted him to stay forever! She was happy for us both, and I will always be grateful that the other canine prospects didn't work out because I know now that Bloo was meant to be with me, and I was meant to be with him!

He's gained plenty of weight (because his Mommy is definitely qualified to fatten up a dog!) and now we can't feel his ribs or backbone anymore. His skin and fur shed completely out before it came back thick, shiny, soft and full.

There's only one thing he's not good at - being a watchdog! He's way too friendly for that! He'll talk you to death while you steal my TV! He's really great at everything else - he learned everything so fast! He learned the doggie door in no time.  He learned sit, down, stay, and come faster than I ever expected! He's so friendly with visitors, I never have to worry.

He talks a lot, and he's quite the conversationalist, but he has opinions on EVERYTHING! He's definitely a ham, and a camera hog, but the best thing is his spirit. He is just so happy to be alive that it shows in his face every minute of every day. Heck, he was happy to be alive even when he was chained up!

We could all take a lesson from Bloo - happiness is a choice, a state of mind, not the result of your current circumstances.

Then last summer, Bloo adopted his own puppy. He was so under socialized that most dogs were scared of all his talking. I picked up a rescue, who was SUPPOSED to go to the shelter the next day, and they fell in love that night. The next morning, she went to the vet for her shots, instead. Her name is 'Kiva', and she's a Malamute mix.

She's gorgeous, and Bloo's drool stains have all but disappeared! You see, no boyfriend of hers will have drool stains, so she cleans them every night. His ears and face too. He grumbles a little, but if she stops, he stretches over to her. It's so sweet, they really are in love!

Sara