For 455 days, Betty Lou Blueberry called rescue home.
When she first visited Dr. Larsen, she weighed 44 pounds, a far cry from the healthy, robust figure she is today. In those early days, hunger was a frequent companion, but that’s long behind her now. Today, a thick Betty Lou is a hearty and confident lady, savoring life with the grace of someone who enjoys every bit of it … like someone sipping on a milkshake, even after polishing off a double cheeseburger and extra fries.
Her past, however, left its marks. A battle with heartworm and a severe injury that nearly cost her toes have left Betty with a permanent scar on her right foot, a testament to her tough early days. She recalls the challenge of heartworm treatment and the grueling 30-day rest that followed.
She remembers the revolving door of Bulldogs coming and going in her foster home, always wondering why she was never chosen. I’m sure her memories of her time in my bedroom are vivid—lounging on the bed, watching TV, and eagerly peering out the window to see when I was coming home. Then, once I did arrive, she’d start the never-ending barking of “Remember me? Come see me!,” but she knew the other dogs needed to be attended to first.
Betty’s not a fan of other dogs. When it comes to furry friends, her sole love is for herself, and at 90 pounds, she’s a force to be reckoned with. She can move with surprising agility, running like a gazelle, and the other dogs in the foster home knew she was a no-nonsense kind of dog. To know Betty Lou Blueberry is to love her unconditionally. She was unapologetically herself, and she made no attempts to change.
Then along came Jamie. An applicant with experience, Jamie was no stranger to dogs, having previously cared for a Great Dane who, like Betty, wasn’t fond of other dogs. Jamie didn’t seek a magical cure for Betty’s dog aggression; he simply offered acceptance. As a veterinarian, he understands Betty’s needs and is ready to embrace her as the queen she wants to be, promising her the best life possible.
When Betty Lou Blueberry left with Jamie, she did so without a glance back, stepping into her new life with the confidence and contentment she had always deserved.
Betty Lou Blueberry sat looking around the room with her best friend Pebbles and nothing looked familiar. A stroll around town together found both of them picked up by animal control. That was ok with them because they both were tired of walking and both were hungry.
The animal control officers kept telling us we were in Lost and Found and they felt like we was going home any day. Well that day never came, but guess who did come? Rescue came. Rescue Ty came, picked us both up and told us that better days were ahead and never again would we be strolling around town looking for something to eat.
Ty named me Betty Lou Blueberry and he said he loved us both!
5/2/23 Update: Betty Lou Blueberry is adjusting so perfectly in her foster home. She’s eating a lot and is now comfortable enough to jump on anything she wants, inside or out. She’s going above and beyond our expectations on walks. She doesn’t dig or chew on anything… so far!
5/30/23 Update: Betty Lou Blueberry continues to grow into herself more everyday. She is full of love and energy and she spreads that around to her sisters, both two- and four-legged!
She loves her walks and continues with her energetic ways until she finally crashes. She goes off to her crate, rests and then she’s ready to start it all over!
6/21/23 Update: Betty continues to do well in her foster home, but is still trying to learn other’s personal space!
Betty is very caring – she’s always trying to play the “mother” role for both her human and foster sisters, corralling everyone around and making sure they’re all OK.
Betty will be best in a house without little kids because she wants to show so much love and protection, she can be overbearing. Betty is extremely active and loves her walks so her person must enjoy that as well.
6/26/23 Update: Betty Lou Blueberry has been busy trying to stay cool in this Texas heat!
The heat is really cramping her style because she hates to miss a walk. When she’s able to go outside for short amounts of time, she loves playing with her foster sisters, but she continues to have a power struggle with her foster sister, Delilah, so that can be pretty stressful.
Betty took a trip to see Dr. Larsen last week and got all checked out. Turns out she needs entropion surgery in both eyes! Surgery is next week and once she’s all healed up she’ll be waiting for her forever home.
8/11/23 Update: Friends, I am headed to the vet clinic to have my heartworm treatment. I am really scared because I know it will likely hurt.
I had a big breakfast and some treats in anticipation that I am going to feel bad after the treatment tomorrow.
I am already missing my foster home and I know they are missing me. My foster family called the clinic first thing this morning and told them all about me. And that I am special. And that I have to have my treats.
9/12/23 Update: If my calculations are right, I have one more week of rest from having heartworm treatment.
It has been the longest three weeks of my life. I don’t really see any other dogs and when I go outside, I go on leash. I can’t run or walk fast or play. My life is calm, quiet and almost non-existent.
But y’all, just wait…. when my 30 days of rest are over, I am going to hit the dance floor and jitterbug the night away.
These heartworms and the treatment have been a pain. And then the 30 days of no activity was really getting on my last nerve.
Just wait until you see me at my next update. I will be running like the wind. Nothing will stop me, Betty Lou Blueberry, then!
9/21/23 Update: Bulldog Family, long time no see. Hope you did not forget about me.
It has been a miserable 30 days of bulldog rest. All by myself. No running, no playing, no barking at the squirrels. Just me in a bedroom recovering from heartworm treatment. But guess what today is? Today is my freedom day! My sentence is over. I made it.
My fur has grown back, and I am ready now to look thru some applications for me. I still need to be the only thing in the house with fur. I am potty trained, I bark in a crate, but I am safe to leave alone in your home.
I prefer to sleep in the bed with my people. I fix my spot after a few minutes of scratching, and I don’t wake up until the alarm goes off. Then it is breakfast, a walk around the yard and then it is squirrel patrol. Trust me, if rabbits or squirrels are giving you a problem in your yard, you need me. I am fast, furious and have an eagle eye when it comes to critters in the yard.
I LOVE people and kids. So, if you are a one bulldog family, think about me, I am as beautiful as can be!
10/5/23 Update: I dropped by the pumpkin patch for some pics before heading out of town. My foster mom is taking a little vacation, so I asked for a vacation also! I packed my backpack, and I headed to Bright Star Veterinary Clinic for a little R&R myself.
Life has been so much better since I completed my 30 days of rest from heartworm treatment. I know Heather from the clinic will take me to McDonald’s for an ice cream cone. Ice cream is one of my favorite snacks .
I’m still waiting to be adopted by a family who will be happy with just one Bulldog …. and that Bulldog will be me!
1/30/24 Update: I’m checking in from the “Love Shack” and you need to know: I’m ready to meet some valentines!
That’s right ~ love is in the air and I know my family must be waiting somewhere for me.
Some may say I am too much, with this thick body and extra fluff. But I say I am just enough. I am enough for a family who will not need any other things with fur.
I am the real deal. I have the looks, charm and ability to be anyone’s best friend.
Can’t adopt? Share my pics to help me find my family! Someone this cute and sweet can’t stay in rescue forever.
4/19/24 Update: I’m doing some spring inspection and cleanup here in the yard. Things are looking amazing around here; however I think my job in landscaping is over. I would really love to have a new address and a new home.
I thought I would have a family to call my own by now. I’ve been in rescue for nearly a year.
Believe me, you’ll never find a sweeter Bulldog. I am so eager to please and I require very little. I will devote my entire day to you and help you with anything you need.
I need to be the only thing with fur in your family, as I still don’t like other animals. But as large and as sweet as I am, I know you will be happy with just me, Betty Lou Blueberry.
4/24/24 Update: I just wanted to let everyone know that today is my birthday and I am 5 years old. I know~ it’s hard to believe that I got this stunning in 5 years, but I did.
I made a wish for my birthday and my wish is that I can find my very own family. Hopefully, in one of these packages, I’ll find an approved application just for me.
I really don’t need a lot ~ just to find a fur-free family who wants to have just one Bulldog, and that Bulldog can be me. I am really low maintenance. I love a weekly bath, a short walk around the block when the weather is nice, and a big bed. I am 100% potty trained and I love all people of any size. I will be the best friend a friend could ever have.
Presents are great, but my own family would be the best present for me. That would make my wish come true… my very own family for my birthday!
5/9/24 Update: “It’s hot and I’m tired of playing ‘gardener’ with my foster mom. Please send in an application and maybe you’ll be matched to me. If your home is fur-free, I’ll be your best friend!” ~ Betty Lou Blueberry
7/11/24 Update: Betty Blueberry here after a little jog around the garden center. Who am I kidding, I don’t jog, but I have been known to emotionally eat. I have gained some weight, but every pound is love.
I am still waiting for a family that will say “Betty Blueberry you are enough!” That family will be happy with just me and nothing else with fur. And what you get will be every lasting love and an 80lb black lady that will be your best friend forever.
I walk great on a leash, I am potty trained, little to no shedding and one amazing lady. Send in an application for me, Betty Lou Blueberry.
