Three weeks ago yesterday, Bella crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a brave and long fight with pancreatitis. I miss her horribly (I am writing this at 3:00AM) and thought I would start a blog to tell her story.  I hope you join me on her adventures. She was a funny girl and kept me entertained over the past four years.

Bella had a funny quality to her. She loved being loved and loved back just as generously. I was inspired by President Obama after the 2008 election to adopt a dog myself, just as he had promised his girls. On a whim I went to our local "kill shelter" pound. I was perusing the kennels when I saw her kennel-mate. She was adorable, just the right size at about 10 lbs. Another family reached the kennel just before me and took that dog for a walk. That was it, they wanted her. Oh well, I thought. I will go back and look at the other dog. She was white/apricot and jumped a lot. Clearly, she was trying to get my attention. I took her for a walk, she stopped to pee, and that was it! I was in love.

 

We stopped a volunteer who put us in a "family room" and we grew acquainted while the volunteer processed my paperwork. Adopting a dog was not nearly as involved as adopting a child! The dog was a mess. She looked like she had been on the streets for 6 months! She was matted, dirty, and likely had ticks. I had to leave her there until Monday so she could be spayed and micro chipped. But they were not going to bathe her before her surgery! Later that day, I made arrangements for a mobile dog groomer to come to the pound so she could be bathed, groomed, and cleaned of ticks and mites. I stayed and kept her company while she was bathed and assured her she would be fine. The bonding process had begun!

On Monday, after work I stopped to pick her up on my way home. I had spent Sunday running to get food, food and water bowls, a leash and collar, and anything else I thought I would need for her! Also on Sunday, I ran names through my brain. Isabella, Bella. Bella it was! We stopped at the vet on our way home for her first "check-up". The vet was pleased with her incision, although they now use black tattoo ink on females to denote they have been spayed, and the pound was overly zealous with their use of ink on Bella! She has one big tat on her belly!

When we got home, I showed her where her food and water were, and where the back door was. She then promptly wanted to cuddle as she was recovering from surgery. That was it, I was in love.

So, welcome to Bella's Place. I hope you enjoy our adventures. More later.