We sent our sweet Bella off to the bridge on Thursday.
We adopted Bella from a rescue shelter in Lebanon, TN and brought her home to Rhode Island on November 5th 2010. They thought she was about 3, but I think she may have been closer to 5. She had been horribly abused and was extremely fearful of people – especially men. I bonded with her on the ride home (we brought a freshly baked soup bone) and so began my journey with this beautiful creature. The book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, by Turid Rugaas really helped us bring Bella around to trust us and open up. But it was a long slow process. Bella’s sweet gently soul made quick friends with our black lab Diamond and soon she became part of the family.
Bella was not an excitable dog, but there were a few things she really liked. Fetching balls in the pond and swimming really far out, cozying up in front of the wood stove, getting her haunches rubbed, schnuffies around her nose, trail walks, and meal time. She used to do this goofy Stevey Wonder movement when we were preparing her meal. She would pace from leg to leg on her front legs and move her head side to side. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to express herself like that anymore when we took her left front leg away. But I was wrong. As a tripawd, she found a way to do her little movement with three legs just fine. She was never a vocal dog – and rarely barked. She gave a deep throated moan whenever she was happy. At first I thought she was growling – but soon learned this sound meant contentment and pleasure. I would moan right back with her and she would wag her tail in agreement.
Always happy to be in the background, unnoticed – over the years Bella’s sweet, goofy, independent, personality slowly came through. She had a unique grace I’ve never seen in an animal and probably never will again.
I’ll miss her forever. The vacancy of her loss is incredibly overwhelming. She was my best friend and loved being part of our pack. I was worried she might be shy making friends on the other side of the bridge, but we had a little talk about it before we sent her off and I think she’ll do just fine. I asked her to remember me and send me a sign from time to time and she wagged her tail. Bella had a fine dinner, some ice cream and a bone stuffed with peanut butter on her last day. With the help of our vet Molly, Bella passed so gently and peacefully. There was a little smile on her face as we kissed her good bye.
Thank you Tripawds community, we couldn’t have made it through the past several months without your support.