Blue's Lesson In Love and Vulnerability

Sometimes you only know a family for a short period of time before you find yourself in the heart-wrenching position of discussing euthanasia. It's never easy, and I feel deeply for the owners who must talk about losing their cherished pet with someone who still feels like a stranger to them.

Blue, a 15-year-old lab, came to see me because he was losing significant weight despite eating well. He was extremely thin but remarkably cheerful and affectionate. His parents were understandably worried, and during that first appointment, they told me how their teenage son would be devastated if something was wrong with Blue. Through this brief conversation, I quickly learned that Blue loved everyone, but this teenager was "his person." For the past 15 years, they had shared countless adventures by day and a bed by night.

Blue’s bloodwork was perfect, but an abdominal ultrasound revealed cancer throughout his liver and spleen. The morning of that ultrasound, it quickly became apparent that Blue was happiest around people, as he refused to stay anywhere except in the office, next to my desk. That day, Blue laid nearby while I was making phone calls and writing up charts. Anytime someone would walk into the office, they were immediately drawn to him and at various points, we all found ourselves sitting on the floor giving him love and attention. After Blue's scan, he returned to the office and sat beside me as I made the difficult call to his owners to deliver the unfortunate news about their sweet boy.

Blue went home that day, but he returned shortly after when his condition progressed, and it was time for his family to say goodbye. We made sure Blue enjoyed a delicious McDonald’s breakfast, which his family later told me was his favorite. Over the years, he had often shared that breakfast sandwich with "his person."

That morning, I witnessed Blue's family grappling with the reality of saying goodbye. His parents sat on the floor beside him, while their teenage son, struggling to hold back his emotions, remained in a nearby chair. I quietly hoped that my presence, despite being a relative stranger, wouldn't hinder his ability to say goodbye as if I weren’t there.

When the moment came for Blue to drift off peacefully, I watched as their son got up from the chair and laid down with his friend one last time. I understood how uncomfortable it must have been for him to be so vulnerable in front of a stranger. Yet, what he didn't realize was that my staff and I had also shared quiet moments lying on the office floor with Blue just a few weeks earlier.

Although I only knew Blue for a short time, it was evident that his family had loved him deeply for 15 years. I watched as they held him close and said their farewells. While every dog possesses unique qualities, some have an exceptionally special spirit. Although I only got to meet Blue at the end of his journey, it was clear that he was one of those dogs.

(Names and descriptive details have been changed slightly to protect owner/patient privacy.)