tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post5149767971009322006..comments2023-08-25T01:53:26.022-07:00Comments on Winemaker's Journal: Growing Old, Gracefully, TogetherCraig Justicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991879972329160420noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-70594863476727658732014-01-06T20:33:18.394-08:002014-01-06T20:33:18.394-08:00Oh Craig, I am so sorry to hear about Bluey!! I di...Oh Craig, I am so sorry to hear about Bluey!! I didn't know until I just now read your blog. Thank you so much for always sharing with everyone your life with Bluey and his/yours winery!! I know you shared so much together and you make them your life just like a child. I ask God to please take away any pain that Bluey has and let him have a peaceful end and for you to have all of your cherished memories deep within your heart. Love to you both Craig!!!Sherry B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-18800159460814792682014-01-06T20:31:14.101-08:002014-01-06T20:31:14.101-08:00Dogs can teach us so much about ourselves, and lif...Dogs can teach us so much about ourselves, and life. It's obvious you and Bluey have shared much together; you'll always have those memories. It's always hard to have them leave us, but Bluey has had a long, wonderful life in your care. Wishing you a peaceful end to this story.Greg B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-37470189602568984512014-01-06T13:28:59.713-08:002014-01-06T13:28:59.713-08:00Craig I didn't know about Bluey until just now...Craig I didn't know about Bluey until just now!! I am just crying so hard. You took the time at this sad time to send me that bottle of wine. I wish now that I would have never opened it and left it sealed, but when I drink it all, I will have the two bottles and cap to remember your Bluey by. Thank you Craig, I consider you a dear friend. I wish you didn't have to go through this heartache, but as you and I know it's part of life. You have so many good memories of your beautiful Bluey that will be in your heart. God bless you Craig!! Take care, SherrySherrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-56166369729607414932014-01-05T10:35:41.913-08:002014-01-05T10:35:41.913-08:00Craig, I just read your blog post.these are my tho...Craig, I just read your blog post.these are my thoughts:<br /><br />My heart goes out to you and your family over Bluey. I've done Rescue work for about 6 years, and the hardest decision is when the right time to say goodbye is, to your own pet. I was wrong the first time, and paid heavily, with stitches to my fingers, not realizing, that my poodle (Krystal -see FB photos of her last day) who had recently been diagnosed with cancer was telling me "no more pills, let me go!" I had been fork feeding her for 2 years, just to get her to eat, and she began attacking the fork if I tried to force food in her mouth. It was only after her first seizure, and wetting the bed, that we did X-rays and found her full of cancer. After 3 weeks of forcing pills in her mouth and almost losing a fingertip, we decided to put her down. We had about 2 minutes of euphoria with her from the tranquilizer, that erased the past 12 years of her life before our eyes, & then the second shot put her down peacefully. When my other dog got congestive heart failure, my horse vet said, "don't let him suffer, when he stops eating for 4 days, don't feed him like the other one!! He's telling you he's ready to go!" It was less than one month later that I said goodbye to my second rescued dog, Zack-4 days after we got Cody, as my 50th Birthday gift. (Zack's last day photos are online too). He was 15.<br />What I have learned about vet and surgical care, from having pets and having my horse (Sheeza), is that you only do the expensive test or exploratory surgery, if the outcome is going to change the end result or treatment.<br />When Sheeza got really sick, we did the ultrasound to rule out expensive ($15,000) colic surgery! It turned out she had a hemothorax, which is when blood builds up in the chest cavity between the lungs and other organs. In dogs, they drain it. In horses, it's very dangerous. Luckily the blood was re-absorbed and she was able to be ridden after 3-4 months rest! Scary! She is 28 now! We hold our breath every year that goes by. We have owned her for 10 years, and have loved her for 12.<br /> We love our animals, and I believe we will be reunited with them one day.<br />You should watch the show "The Long Island Medium" on TLC. The signs are there that our animals are with us...<br />From what you have said about Bluey, he is at peace, he hasn't given up totally, but he's close. Working with shelter animals, I have seen the look they get when they have given up all too often. I have seen my share of barn cats and dogs that were old and tired too. I have sat with them and praised them, and told them that they served their humans well, and to the horses that were aged, I took photos and scratched tickle spots and reminded them of how many smiling children they taught to ride, only to arrive at the barn the next day, to find flowers in their empty stall, or see cat & dog collars stapled to a beloved photo, with the words "we will miss you" written in marker underneath. It's as if the animal was waiting to hear that it was okay to go. They don't want to be a burden even in death. Most pet owners want to hold onto their pets as long as they can, as do people, to their loved ones. But it is more humane to let let them go on their terms, when it is right for them. Is is preordained? Does anyone know?<br />Maybe one<br />day I will meet Bluey...maybe that is preordained. After all, if my work with animals comes so naturally in this life, maybe it will carry on into the next?<br />Again, my prayers are with you and your family, and Bluey.Sandy B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-61079153533038897302014-01-04T19:00:33.218-08:002014-01-04T19:00:33.218-08:00Your kindness and compassion for Bluey is so movin...Your kindness and compassion for Bluey is so moving. Craig. He has been an honored (though at times rebellious) member of your royal family and a blessing to all of you. My thoughts are with you.Dawnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-63336027574512226472014-01-04T18:59:08.750-08:002014-01-04T18:59:08.750-08:00Dogs are family. My heart goes out to you. I am su...Dogs are family. My heart goes out to you. I am sure to be dealing with this soon. Love you and Bluey.Dianne C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-14660108531154317062014-01-04T18:57:57.430-08:002014-01-04T18:57:57.430-08:00I read that God grants us just one truly special d...I read that God grants us just one truly special dog within our lifetime ~ I think Bluey is yours.Steve R.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-58971074281749047192014-01-04T11:46:36.648-08:002014-01-04T11:46:36.648-08:00I just read your blog and am so sad for you and yo...I just read your blog and am so sad for you and your family. I hope that your spirituality guides and comforts you. Bluey will forever be in your heart. As difficult as it will be, you'll know when it's time.... I've been there and am there for you in the spirit of love. ---Suzie PS: No need to reply, Craig. I just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.Suzienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-57318594504799203632014-01-04T11:45:09.999-08:002014-01-04T11:45:09.999-08:00My dear old friend. Over the years we've know...My dear old friend. Over the years we've known each other I've felt like I was at times a part of your extended family. The growth of your wine making, the bootleg express, and the tales of Bluey. I know how you and your family feels right now, even Bluey. Barley did the same for us, he put on a show every night. Some days the show was brief as his pain and discomfort were high, others were longer and gave me false hope even though I knew it was just for me. Just so I didn't feel sad, so in turn I out on a show for him. Made him think that he was amazing and strong. Even when all we could get him to eat were a few pieces of bacon. The difference was I could see his cancer grow. At times almost daily I would notice the change in size of his tumor. Cancer has no boundaries. No feelings. No heart. And yet it takes those that have the biggest hearts, the bravest souls. <br /><br />Our hearts are with your family and with Bluey. When he crosses the rainbow bridge he will find peace from the pain and the most amazing field of mice and gophers for him to work on. <br /><br />Be well my friend.Ericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-3427489664804983592014-01-04T09:24:19.098-08:002014-01-04T09:24:19.098-08:00Thank you Alberto for your kind words. This is a s...Thank you Alberto for your kind words. This is a story about not just a dog, but about all of us. How we live. Why some people get sick. Our medical treatment. And our last days. We have Bluey at least for another day - so we will enjoy our time together. Best wishes to you.Craig Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17991879972329160420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183397334789656656.post-38862854134960891282014-01-03T06:05:24.498-08:002014-01-03T06:05:24.498-08:00I am so sorry for you all because of your beloved ...I am so sorry for you all because of your beloved Bluey's difficult moments.<br /><br />You will never forget him and he must be<br />so grateful after being looked after so intimately by you.<br /><br />My sympathy with you.<br /><br />Alberto G.<br />Alberto Gottardini - Mendoza.noreply@blogger.com