Bella 09-514

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Sponsored by:

Scott and Stefanie K.
"In loving memory of Golden Retriever Emily"

Bella was transported to my house in Minneapolis by brave drivers who drove her, and her 7 yo daughter, thru snowy conditions from Southern Iowa where they had been living outdoors. They all survived the snow and cold & 9yo Bella is now enjoying the indoor golden life.She barely wants to go outside - but, then, who does in this weather?  Her daughter, Lexi, found a foster home in Iowa. They were both given up due to a divorce.

Bella is the sweetest girl - very laid back and tolerant of my 3yo golden's antics - but is overweight by about 10-15lbs.  She's a chunky one.  We've been trying to work on that but it's hard to go on walks when it's snowy and slippery and Bella, clearly, is not used to the leash.  Her visit to the vet indicated she needed extensive dental work due to abscessed & rotting teeth which must have made it very painful for her to eat so I don't know how she managed to put on so many lbs.  She had her dental work done this past week and the vet had to pull several teeth - ouch!  Not fun.  Poor Bella - she must have been very uncomfortable.  She was supposed to get spayed, as well, but she's currently "in heat" so we have to wait a few weeks to get that done.  Other than ear infections which we're treating, the vet gives her a clean bill of health!

More on Bella-babe as we move into the New Year!

At a Glance #09-514

Golden Retriever Born: December 2000
Female 85 lbs

Status: Deceased

Profile

Sponsored by:

Scott and Stefanie K.
"In loving memory of Golden Retriever Emily"

Bella was transported to my house in Minneapolis by brave drivers who drove her, and her 7 yo daughter, thru snowy conditions from Southern Iowa where they had been living outdoors. They all survived the snow and cold & 9yo Bella is now enjoying the indoor golden life.She barely wants to go outside - but, then, who does in this weather?  Her daughter, Lexi, found a foster home in Iowa. They were both given up due to a divorce.

Bella is the sweetest girl - very laid back and tolerant of my 3yo golden's antics - but is overweight by about 10-15lbs.  She's a chunky one.  We've been trying to work on that but it's hard to go on walks when it's snowy and slippery and Bella, clearly, is not used to the leash.  Her visit to the vet indicated she needed extensive dental work due to abscessed & rotting teeth which must have made it very painful for her to eat so I don't know how she managed to put on so many lbs.  She had her dental work done this past week and the vet had to pull several teeth - ouch!  Not fun.  Poor Bella - she must have been very uncomfortable.  She was supposed to get spayed, as well, but she's currently "in heat" so we have to wait a few weeks to get that done.  Other than ear infections which we're treating, the vet gives her a clean bill of health!

More on Bella-babe as we move into the New Year!

Updates

Sunday, February 10, 2013

 

We are extremely saddened to report that we recently lost our dear Bella. We are glad to have this forum provided by RAGOM which allows us to share our grief with others who have also lost their “special” companions. Not only does the Rainbow Bridge webpage provide all of us with a resource to express our sadness, but also a means by which our departed pets can say “I was here and I made a difference!”

Through adulthood, Bella had a very difficult life. She was kept outdoors, unkempt, in a kennel 24/7, where she bore several liters of puppies for her owners. Eventually she became unwanted, a casualty of divorce. But, at nine years of age, her “luck” changed dramatically when, in late 2009, she had the good fortune of becoming a RAGOM dog, She was brought to the Twin Cities with an array of health and hygiene problems. There she was fostered and nurtured by an extremely kind, patient, and caring lady who recognized immediately what a special dog Bella was. We acquired Bella in May, 2010, after her foster diligently made sure that we would provide Bella with the care and love she deserved. Their parting was sad for both of them, though happily they remained in touch through “lunch dates" and pictures.

In the 2.8 years we had with Bella, our lives were changed. We have adopted senior dogs for fifteen years and they have all had virtues we will always cherish. Bella, however was truly special and charismatic. Despite her previous difficult life, she remained steadfast in her love for others. Her favorite pastime was greeting other people and other dogs on her daily walks. She would never approach them insistently but rather stop, wag her tail, and demurely wait for them to summon her. A subsequent pat on her head would suffice and she was willing to move on. When our newborn granddaughter visited for the first time, Bella quietly got off her “sickbed” smelled the baby, and then licked her leg.

Bella was afflicted with severe and progressive arthritis. Despite multiple drug trials, orthopedic devices and our nursing efforts, Bella’s back legs eventually could no longer hold her. Though she never complained, it was apparent she was in a great deal of pain. We were faced with one of the hardest decisions of our life. We knew she would get no better and to continue further was only committing her to more undeserved suffering.

Bella was so loving, kind, and gentle. Everyone who took the time to stop and pat her head remembered her and always greeted her. We can’t help thinking that if everyone was a little more like Bella, ours would be a better world.

“Bella, honey, you were here, you mattered, and you made a BIG difference! We will never forget you."

 

Thursday, May 20, 2010

It is with bittersweet feelings that I say Bella has found her adoptive "forever home" as a companion to a senior lab who is deaf & misses her prior golden companion who has crossed the bridge.  She is with a wonderful family who adore her - as she should be adored.  She has been a most gracious guest in my home since she came as a foster in December 2009 and captured everyone's heart.  As she was overweight, she worked hard to slim down and uncomplainingly went on long winter walks when she really wanted to just curl up somewhere and sleep.  For all her hard work, she lost 12 pounds, her coat lost its dullness and she gained a spring in her step as she looked forward to our walks together.  Here's to you, Bella-babe.  You are missed already.  

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Here are photos of Bella enjoying a bone in the afternoon sun. 

Monday, January 25, 2010

Bella stayed with another foster mom for a few days, and they had a wonderful time. Bella is very sweet, friendly, polite, and relaxed. She was totally up for walking one to three times a day, and was curious about her new surroundings. She loves to meet new people and animals -- she's great with cats, and friendly with other dogs.

She's learning how to be on a leash, and we discovered that a retractable leash works best for Bella. We had an ice storm over the weekend, with freezing rain that made walking treacherous. So when Bella went on walks, she needed plenty of leeway on a long leash to find the best footing. Instead of tugging on the leash, it's best if her human gently coaxes her along verbally.

Overall, Bella was a perfect house guest, and the people she stayed with have fallen in love with her. It's hard to take a good photo of this precious dog -- the pictures don't do her justice. She really is a beautiful girl.