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Bella earned her wings
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Member Since:
20 March 2017
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22 July 2017 - 12:51 pm
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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 our 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 our three cats (at the time) 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, long 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 in March of this year.  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 low 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.  This hurts so much and can't seem to stop crying -  but I am grateful she is at peace.

Thank you Tripawds community, we couldn’t have made it through the past several months without your support. 

Uk
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18 July 2017
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22 July 2017 - 2:35 pm
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My heart goes out to you all for your loss of Bella, she had a rough start but you saved her and gave her the home every dog deserves, her memory will live on!!

Run free at the Bridge Bella but be sure to check in from to time. 

💕🌈 xx

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 July 2017 - 4:58 pm
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Oh Brenda, these memories are so precious. Here's my favorite one you shared:

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 in March of this year. But I was wrong. As a tripawd, she found a way to do her little movement with three legs just fine.

THAT is so adorable!

I know it hurts like hell and the tears will come when you least expect it sometimes. Allow yourself to grieve, and keep your heart focused on these really sweet things she did and shared with you. Those good times will get you through this sadness eventually. Bella wants you to be happy, and you will get there.

I"m so sorry Brenda. My heart goes out to you. Please keep sharing memories and photos too if you'd like, we'd love to keep celebrating her memory with you.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 July 2017 - 11:18 pm
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Tears are falling jard, yet again.

This is such a beautiful tribute...such a beautiful way to celebrate Bella's glorious life with you! And make noooo mistake, Bella had a GLORIOUS life with you!!

Your love for Bella was/is sooo strong. The way you were able to love her enogh to give her such a lovely send off...full of good conversation, wagging tails, gratitude, and some mighty good food. I KNOW it was jard as hell to hold yourself together, but she clear@y was ready and gave you that beautiful smile as she headed to the Bridge. Her smile and her tail wags were saying "Thank you!! Thank you!! I had the best time with you as my humans!!!

You showed Bella what love and happiness felt like! You took time to understand Bella and help her become the MAGNIFICENT dog she was vorn to be!! 🙂

And no worries at all about jow well Bella will do at the Bridge!! My Happy Hannah is o e of many in cjarge of the "welcome wagon". I happen to know thst Bella's wagon was full of freshly baked bones and ice cream as they welcomed Bella "home again"!

I'm pretty sure the Bridge was playing "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder whike she was dining on her soup bone while getting schnuffies from the Angels.

Bella will, indeed connect with you! Pay attention.

And in the meantime, we are right here by your side just like always. This is had, so had and it hurts so much. We understand the grief, the coid, the "vacancy". It doesn't last forever...promise. the happier memries will continue to push the sadness further into the background.

Surrounding you with Bella's eternal unique grace, sweetwt smile and wagging tailheart

Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Member Since:
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23 July 2017 - 3:31 pm
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Thank you all so much.  I especially love the reference to "Isn't She Lovely".  That will be my Bella song from now on.  

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