Happy Fourth of July!

It is a beautiful and sunny day, and I am taking pause in my Celebration of The Independence Day, to play this fun game!!! Many thanks to Frankie Furter for dreaming up this wonderful way for us all to get to know each other better!

You may or may not have read the story of my brother's name... "The" Cool Hand Luke. And if so, I must, very first thing, clarify... I am not named after the dog who chased Cool Hand Luke [in the movie]. And besides, his name was Blue.

And mine is Bleu! 

Clearly very different, as it is a whole other language!

First, a little background... 

I am a rescue dog who was surrendered, at the age of 5, to Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston by a very loving family. I arrived at GRRH with 4 pounds of medical records and virtually no hair on my back. They and their vets weren't able to figure out what my issues were, and they were facing very expensive medical issues for one of their two legged children... so they did the best they knew to do, out of love for me.

I was terrified with the transition. I trembled and quivered and was a nervous wreck... so much so that my Aunt Madison slept on the bathroom floor with me for many nights, as I tried to come to terms with my new environment.

Then... I was tested for every allergy under the sun, and my only allergy is dairy... so everyone was still a bit confused as to why I was losing my hair... until they truly got to know me.

And what we have all come to discover is this... I'm a sensitive boy. I have many issues, but most of them involve 'change'... and by issues, I mean I don't like it at all. I have routines, and I don't like things out of place.

I didn't start losing my hair until my loving family... in which I was the center of the universe... began to have children. Their love for me never faded, but things were definitely WAY different.

Now back to the Name Game...

My first Mom was a student of the French language, and she named me after her favorite word and color. I had the name for five years, and did I mention that I don't like change???

So, Bleu, I have remained! I also have many other names like Big Boy and... gosh, this name makes me dance like a silly boy... TootyToot! How I love to be called TootyToot!

Happy Fourth of July, Everybody!!!

Wordless Wednesday: A Summary of My Week So Far

The Bleu On The Blanco River Escapade

You are all most certainly familiar with my brother, Luke, who calls himself "the Luke"... so you already know that we have been on the most wonderful adventure, practically, ever!!!

My Mom is in shock that I wasn't reluctant in the least to get my fur wet and dirty in the river! So when I was fearful in the slightest... she totally understood! [Brace yourself for Mystery Narrator... I do NOT know who that is! Ah Oh!]

Also featured are... The Luke [which you recognize and is underfoot of the camera], Atlas [barking... I,I,I...!, the Bleu Healer/German Shepherd Mix], Dylan [wanders lazily away]... and Cane [who bolts energetically away up stream!]1

Wordless Wednesday [Almost]

I do love me a stick!

And The Winner Is...

First, allow me to express my gratitude to Twinkie for initiating this very fun event!

And next, I must apologize... for this day has not turned out as we all had planned. It has been a day filled with barometric pressure change, thunder, panic, anxiety (all experienced by Luke, as I attempt to avoid the fray) ... and funeral/coma music (helps Luke and induces a coma in Mom and me).

Needless to say, there was not spinning today... nor anyone to count my spins! So, I relied on a random number generator, and the lucky number is 12!

And that means that My First Annual Global Animal Blogger Event Winner is...

Dory of Dory's Backyard!!!

Dory, your prize includes a bed cover that was made with love by a volunteer with Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston, a bag of delicious (bring me in from the yard when I don't want to) Berry Treats and a surprise gift that I will select specially for yeu! I will be in touch with yeu in the very next little bit of time (when thunder stops and life is back to normal) to get a shipping address!

Thank you, everyone, for playing! Your friendship is a treasure!

If you haven't visited already, please head over to Luke's blog for the announcement of our other winner!