Thirteen years ago, a litter of three Greyhound puppies was born. There was one male named Reward Peabody, a female named Reward Line who went on to be known as Launchie Girl and a female named Reward Terry who later changed her name to Blueberry. As you might have guessed, that dog named Blueberry went on to live with us.
We first met her eleven years ago as a two-year-old. She arrived at a now defunct Greyhound adoption group two blocks down the street from us on a cold January night. We were supposed to foster her, but someone else was interested in her as a foster with intent to adopt, so we chose to bring home her mother, a senior dog who needed a soft bed to rest on after seven years of work. I thought that would pretty much be the end of our association.
However, I was mistaken. In August, the woman who had ended up adopting her was having surgery and she asked the woman who ran the adoption group to watch her for a few weeks while she recovered. She already had two puppies in the house and was less than thrilled to have a two year old dog in the house. We were asked if we’d take either the puppies or Blueberry. It was an easy choice, and we thought it would be fun to see Lilac and Blueberry together. The rest is history. Most of our readers know that things got a little odd with the woman and finally, in December, we were told that Blueberry was ours.
She had a few issues when we got her. She stole food, right off the plate and from under your nose. She’d been taught to sit in front of a person, then jump up and take food out of their mouth, which resulted in black eyes for both my husband and me. When she got tired, she was antisocial, growling at other dogs who got in her space. I was afraid someone would want to adopt her to have the status of a blue Greyhound and they wouldn’t be able to handle her.
We used to have a conversation every year on her birthday, where I would tell her that she was a grown up girl now and the wild child antics would stop. She would reply by giving me the raspberry. However, when our first Greyhound, Treat, passed away, overnight she did grow up. She sensed that we needed her in a special way and she was really there for us. Of all our dogs, she has the softest, thickest fur — like the plushest velvet. I cried about five million tears into that soft fur.
Blueberry really isn’t one for tears, though. She lives to make us laugh. I’ve never met a dog with a better sense of humor. When her mission is accomplished, it isn’t just her tail that wags, it’s her whole body, and she smiles to go along with it. Somewhere along the way, she went from Wild Child to Miss Almost Perfect to The Best Dog Ever. Yes, she actually answers to that title and Mr. Taleteller calls her that all the time.
It’s hard for me to fathom that she’s thirteen years old. She doesn’t look it or act it. Sure, she’s slowed down a little, but she still wants to be included in most of what we do. It seems like just yesterday that she was a wild puppy, but she’s grown up into such a wonderful and magnificent dog. I feel very blessed that we’ve been able to share the journey with her so far, and I hope that she’ll be with us for many more years like her infamous mother was.
Happy Birthday, Baby Blue, and many happy returns!
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Happy Birthday Blueberry. You have a wonderful story and you are right where you belong. I love a girl with a sense of humor. On the 14th of February I too will be 13. Have a wonderful bithday Miss Blue.
Blessings,
Goose
Happy Birthday Blueberry! You keep us all smiling when we hear stories about your antics.
Happy birthday, sweet Blue!
Blueberry,
Happy 13th Birthday from Those Brindle Kids! We think you’re beautiful and we’re so happy that you were able to persevere until you found just the right forever home. We know you had to “pull some strings” to get where you are and we think you’re brilliant to make it happen. Keep those other pups in line and have an extra birthday treat for us!
Love ya,
Truly, Maggie and Walker
Hey Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I am so very proud to be your (admittedly distant!) cousin! Have a wonderful day with your family and many many happy returns. Deccy xx
Oh, bless her!! Happy birthday Blueberry!! You certainly landed on your feet, didn’t you?
She is gorgeous. The way you write about her reminds me of our first greyhound, the beautiful James. We got him as a very young dog, probably less than two, though that’s what they said he was at the shelter (he was never tattooed). He got up to some shenanigans when he was young, but all high spirits and never any malice. And he turned into the Best Dog in the World.
He lived to 13 1/2. And he died in his own bed. We were treating him for congestive heart failure, so we knew his time was limited. He had a great day, walking out twice (as far as he could make it, which was about half a mile and one of his favourite walks because it involved a car ride), ate a home-cooked dinner and had seconds, had lots of love as usual.
He went to bed looking normal, and just didn’t wake up the next day. And you know what? I grieved less for my beloved James than for subsequent dogs who had to be helped in traumatic circumstances.
I can only hope that when her time comes, Blue goes the same way. The ‘Best Dogs’ deserve it! And so do their owners!
Happy birthday Blue! Have a great one and many, many more! Big hugs X
Happy Birthday Blueberry!!! May your day be filled with all the wonderful things that make you happy
My first greyhound love was a blue boy named Elvis.
Happy Happy Birthday Blueberry! May you get lots and lots of treats from plates today
Waggin at ya,
Roo
Happy Birthday beautiful Blue. Hope you have many many more.
Happy Birthday, Blueberry!
Happy Happy Birthday, Blueberry! Wishing you the best day and hopes you gets lots of snuggles, belly rubs and Treats! Sniffs,The HoundDogs
Happy Birthday Blueberry! Here’s to many more years of smiles
Happy Birthday, beautiful Blueberry!
Hope you get lots of lots of kisses, hugs and treats!
Happy Birthday, Blue!!! You should give your mom and dad a raspberry for old times sake
Happy Birthday, Blueberry!
Sam
What a wonderful, wonderful tribute to “Baby Blue!” What a special girl, she sounds like she is right up Dakota’s alley!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLUEBERRY!!!
xoxoxo
Happy Birthday Blueberry!! AND MANY MORE!!!
Much Luvums,
The Slimmer Puggums
George, Gracie, Toby, Lily, & Mimi
Wishing you another fabulous, healthy, and fun year Miss Blueberry. You deserve it!
Happy Birthday Blueberry! We hope you have a very fun day today!
Happy Happy Barkday dearest Blueberry! We are happy that you found your furever home with your family who truly loves and cares for you.
Enjoy your treats and each of the Piappies send their hugs your way.
Love,
Piappies – Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Max, Wai-Pai & Forgie
Happy Birthday, Blueberry and many more teen years to come! Extra treats for all today.
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Pee Ess, Mom wonders if you have had Morgan checked for low thyroid issues. Just a thought.
I got teary-eyed reading this. What a wonderful tribute. It’s kind of nice to read about her funny side. I didn’t know how funny she could be or that she had some interesting habits when she came to you. It sounds like she has brought so much joy and fun to your lives.
Happy Blueberry Birthday, Miss!
I love a funny dog and you would fill that bill easily! You are beautiful too, and we hope for more happy years for you!
Jo, Stella, and Zkhat
Happy Birthday, Blueberry! You are a very special girl. I love the picture of her with the little boy.
Happy Birthday to sweet Blue! You’ve been a very lucky girl to have found such a wonderful home.
Happy Birthday sweet baby girl. Allie says welcome to the 13 yr old club. <3 <3
Wishing Blueberry a very special and happy birthday. Seniors are THE best and she is proof that no matter how “difficult” the youngster are, they grow up and become so loved and cherished that we cant imagine our life without them(and we forget all the past mis-deeds) . You have a few years to go Morgan and Kuster!!!! Give Blueberry a special hug for me.
Happy Birthday Sweet Blueberry!! What a beautiful story…loved reading more about her.
Happy birthday, Blueberry! 13 is a BIG birthday!
Oh Dog! Happy birthday Blueberry!
Happy Birthday, Best Dog Effur!! Mom says our angel sister Allie had a sense of humor…
-Bart and Ruby
Awwwww, my eyes leaked this whole post. Blueberry was just MEANT to belong to you. She’s such a beautiful girl and since I’ve only known her in her “best dog ever” capacity, it’s so hard to imagine her as a wild child. I love it and it gives me hope for my wild child and his crazy wild child cousin. Happy Birthday Blueberry!
Happy Birthday again Bludberry. 13 years and still goin. WE loved your story and are so glad you ended up where you did.
Love
Bert and My Vickie
Happy birthday, Miss Blueberry. It is so wonderful how our dogs and our relationships with them change over time. She is a very special girl.
Mango Momma
What a beautiful birthday tribute. And how lucky you were to have Blueberry by your side when you most needed her.
Happy Birthday, Blueberry! Hope you enjoyed your day.
Your pal, Pip
Happy Birthday Blueberry! And the golden boys wish you many, many more.
Happy Birthday, Blueberry! Shane welcomes you to the teen club.
Happy Birthday Blueberry! I can’t believe you are a teenager. Tom will be celebrating his 13th at the beginning of March.
Happy Birthday Blue!
Happy Birthday Blueberry! Here is to many more xxx
Happy Birthday Blueberry! Many, many more!
Happy Birthday Blueberry! I’m so sorry that I missed the actual date… but I love this post and all the beautiful photos of you. I also love hearing about the “Best dog ever”!
Happy Birthday Blueberry! Wow…quite the accomplishment!
Happy birthday, Blue! I hope you had a great day with lots of treats and special snuggle time. What a beautiful tribute to a special girl – you guys have had eleven great years together and here’s to many, many more!
Happy Belated Birthday, Blueberry! I hope that you had a great day.
Happy belated birthday, Blueberry! I hope you had a super special day. You are so well loved, both at home and in Blogville.