The dog, the myth, the legend: Blue Bear passed away on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009. He was 14 years old.
Blue Bear
Blue Bear arrived at Best Friends at around the age of one and quickly set about establishing a reputation as one of the toughest customers on the property. Fighting earned him a roughed up face, a split ear and the loss of a leg in an accident more than a decade ago. Caregivers who have been around for a while have told me outlandish stories – that he would attack his caregivers if he wasn’t the first in his run to be fed, and that he would pass his time with the dog in the run next to his taking turns grabbing each others’ lips through the fence and pulling – for fun.
Blue Bear
I didn’t know any of this when I became a caregiver and began to care for Blue Bear, who was at that point 13 years old and in failing health. He needed twice-daily medical baths because he was incontinent, which I was taught to do after muzzling him for protection. After a while when we had built a trust, I stopped using the muzzle and never went back – I never had a problem bathing him, although he didn’t like me to do it with strangers watching. He was a proud, stoic old man, but he also had a very affectionate side to him – he would eventually roll over for belly rubs for me and loved chin scratches. By that point in his life he was having some trouble walking, so instead I would lift him into my golf cart and take him on rides around the property so he could see and be seen with the wind in his face, resting on my lap. In his old age, Bluey had discovered human companionship, affection, and love.
Blue Bear
Bluey still had the old spark, though – 13 years old, weak and incontinent as he was, he laid down the rules in his run. A quiet growl of disapproval from the Blue Bear was all it took for his canine companions to drop their shenanigans and leave him alone. If he was feeling particularly spirited that day and he felt I had slighted or ignored him, he might mount an attack on my shoes when I entered his run. Affectionate as he could be, he still commanded respect from both people and dogs wherever he went.
At the end of last year, his health started to take a serious turn for the worse and we were afraid he would not survive the winter with us – our facility was no longer suitable for his needs. We scrambled to find a solution and eventually he was transferred to Dogtown Heights, to a building with extended caregiver hours that had a setup better suited to him. He thrived there, quickly becoming a favorite of his new caregivers, who doted on him. It was there that his caregiver Paul had the idea of getting him an all-terrain wagon so that he could once again go on walks in the company of other dogs, which he loved.
Blue Bear
By the beginning of May his health had declined to the point where his quality of life was seriously affected and he had run out of treatment options. The decision was made to let him go, and he peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge surrounded by friends and former caregivers who loved him dearly.
Blue Bear never let a day go by that he didn’t grab in his teeth and shake everything possible from. To the end he remained a proud, determined and independent-minded dog. I and many others loved him, and he will be sorely missed. Goodbye, Old Warrior. We will not forget you.
Bluey and John
What a wonderful tribute to Blue Bear! I’m sorry I didn’t have the opportunity to meet the legendary Blue Bear. He is running free and whole at the Rainbow Bridge now but will live on forever in the hearts and memories of all of the wonderful caregivers who loved him. To all of you who loved Blue Bear, I am so sorry for your loss and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Blue Bear.
My sympathies to all who knew & cared for Blue Bear. Although I didn’t see him on my trip in April, I remember him well from last October. I don’t know how many people I have told about the dog who got golf cart rides from his caregivers so he could have outings, too. And then his own wagon! I enjoyed reading his tribute done by someone who understood him and cared for him. May he rest in peace.
omg i am so sad! i loved this dog even though i never met him. i only recently learned he was now allowed to live with males and i wanted badly to adopt him so i got my plan all set on how to get him here and such and then finally a few days ago i got a ok from a person at a apartment i was looking at. she was going allow a dog with his issues to live there. i am in such a loss right now and crying. i felt so deeply that he needed me to give him that loving him and now i feel so horrible that it took too long. i will seriously never forget this dog. oh how i wish i had met him
Enjoy the freedom over the Rainbow Bridge, Blue Bear. Now you can run on all four legs. Like all loved animals, you will live on in the hearts and memories of those who cared for and loved you. To his caregivers, my heart and prayers go out to you, as well as my admiration. Your innovative spirits allowed Blue Bear to live life to the fullest until the very end. You are amazing people to have the heart and soul and understanding to give an elderly animal joy.
Vaya Con Dios Blue Bear. Rest in Peace.
Very lovely post for an old friend. I too send my condolences to all the people who loved “Bluey.” I have enjoyed watching his story over the past few years and especially loved the latest story about his day out in his wagon. Thank you for all the love and care you gave to him. Goodbye and God bless, sweet Blue Bear.
What a wonderful tribute. I was at Best Friends when the word came that Blue Bear would need to be euthanized. I was right next door most of the week, but never got the chance to meet him. I know it was a very rough week for his caregivers. I will say, they sent him out in style.
I know Blue Bear will be missed.
Oh, how my eyes have welled up with tears reading about Blue Bear. I am new to Best Friends…God Bless You all for the dignity & love shown to Blue Bear…. I’ll see you on the other side Blue…
I thought this might be a sort of apropriate place for me to add this comment.
I just finished watching an episode of Dog Town, on which a sweet old Chow named Bruno came to be taken care of. Unfortunately Bruno’s health deteriorated and he had to be euthinized.
The way that they folks there honored him when he was put to rest was very touching.
I am beginning a Veterinary Assistant class in a few weeks, and I hope that eventually I will be able to find a place in my area where I will be able to make the same kind of difference.
Keep up the good work guys, you folks at Best Friends are truely beautiful people!