Today is Blue’s birthday! He turns four years old, and while he is not my first dog, my experience with him has been entirely unique. When I lived with my parents, we had a dog named Neve. At the time, I thought I understood what it meant to have a dog, but the truth is, I wasn’t the one taking care of her. My parents handled everything while I was busy with school and work. Neve was more their dog than mine.
Blue, however, is a different story. From the very beginning, it was clear that the responsibility of caring for him would fall on me. Like many kids do, my children promised they would take care of everything – daily walks, cleaning up after him, feeding him, you name it. Of course, as happens in most families, those promises didn’t last long, and Blue became my little shadow.
He is an incredibly sweet dog who loves cuddles from everyone he meets. But he is also very stubborn. If I give him a command, he follows it only when he feels like it.
Blue is very set in his ways, almost like he can read the clock. For example, every day at exactly 12:15 PM, no matter what I am doing, he comes to find me and “tells” me it is lunchtime. It is incredible how consistent he is!
Blue has a joyful spirit. He loves to play, nap, and spend time with us. His day revolves around our routines. When Pietro or the kids come home, his energy shifts; he is ready to play, go for a walk, or simply be the center of attention.
Blue’s unique personality
Blue is the type of dog who won’t run off even if the door is left open. He stays either in the house or just in front of it. His walks are short and very specific. He insists on taking the same route every day – down the street to the mailbox and then back home. Years ago, he was chased by another dog on a different path, and since then, he refuses to go that way. No amount of coaxing can convince him otherwise.
When I travel to Italy, Pietro takes over caring for Blue. The two become inseparable during those times. Pietro wakes up early to take him out, plays with him, and feeds him. Despite his initial resistance to having a dog, Pietro has become one of Blue’s favorite people.
A beloved family member
Blue is like my third child. He needs attention, care, and love, and in return, he gives us so much joy. We spend most of our days together, and we have developed an unspoken understanding.
Initially, Pietro wasn’t keen on the idea of getting a dog. But I felt that having a dog would complete our family, and I eventually convinced him. Now, Blue is an integral part of our lives. Even though we have a garden, Blue prefers his walks over running around outside.
Each family member has a unique relationship with Blue. For me, I am his primary caregiver, the one who feeds him, walks him, and notices if something is wrong. Pietro, on the other hand, is his pack leader. Blue seeks him out for playtime and listens to his commands more readily than mine.
Elisa is the one who spoils Blue with love and attention. When she went off to college, Blue noticeably missed her. The first time she returned home, his excitement was through the roof! Now, he seems to have adjusted to her coming and going but is always thrilled to see her.
Marco, on the other hand, treats Blue like a playful sibling. They run around together, and Marco loves playing pranks on him. Blue enjoys the fun but knows Marco is his playmate rather than his caregiver.
Blue and the world around him
Blue has an unusual relationship with other dogs – he is scared of them, regardless of their size. Taking him to the dog park is pointless because he stays on the sidelines, visibly anxious. I have stopped trying to force him into those situations because I understand it won’t change.
With people, Blue is cautious at first but warms up quickly once he gets to know them. Our friends love him and often invite him over for gatherings. It warms my heart to see how much they value him as part of our family.
Blue’s favorite activities
Blue’s favorite toys are thick, knotted ropes. He loves chewing through the knots, taking his time to unravel them. He’ll bring the rope to me, and we play a game of tug-of-war. If I manage to pull it away, he eagerly brings it back to start the game over.
He also has a knack for destroying squeaky toys. His mission is always the same: to find the squeaker and rip it out. By the end of his “operation,” the toy is in pieces, but he is thoroughly satisfied.
Blue’s early days
When Blue joined our family, he was just 8 weeks old. Initially, we were supposed to pick a puppy from a litter, but I was overwhelmed by the decision. Luckily, Blue chose us – someone else had to cancel, and we were next on the list.
Bringing him home was an emotional moment. The kids were overjoyed, and Blue fit right in. However, the next day, he fell ill. A visit to the vet revealed he had parvovirus. I’ll never forget the vet explaining the slim chances of his survival while handing me a list of treatments to administer at home over the weekend.
I stayed strong until I left the clinic, but once outside, I broke down in tears. The thought of losing him was unbearable. Fortunately, Blue fought through and recovered, though we had to restart his vaccinations. Because of this, he couldn’t go outside for months, which likely contributed to his fear of other dogs and new situations.
Lessons from Blue
Raising Blue has been like raising another child. In the early months, I slept on the couch to let him out for bathroom breaks every two hours. Now, he is more independent but still very much a part of our daily lives.
I have learned that every dog has its own personality and quirks. Blue is stubborn but loving, cautious but playful. He may not respond to commands immediately, but he knows when it is truly important to listen.
A special bond
Blue has brought immeasurable joy, love, and laughter into our lives. He is more than just a pet; he is family. So, today, we celebrate him – not just for the four years he is been with us but for the countless ways he is enriched our lives.
Happy Birthday, Blue, and thank you for choosing us. You’ve made our family whole.
Thanks for hanging out with me today!
See you next time.
Valentina
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