all dogs go to heaven

Ms. Belle

April 22, 1997 - February 24, 2012

Belle seven weeks old

Ms. Belle came to us when she was eight weeks old from a breeder in Napa Valley.  She was a family gift from some good friends of ours, and we were delighted!  She was a pure bred field breed chocolate Labrador, meaning she was longer-legged, lighter, and more lithe in build than the typical "show" Labradors.  She acquired many nick names along the way--one that stuck was "Little Girl."  She was quite regal looking with the most beautiful, shiny chocolate coat, long lean legs and nose.   My goodness, she was intelligent, understanding a large vocabulary and multiple hand signals.  She actually knew the names of all her chew toys and would bring them to you on command.  She was born to hunt birds with her soft mouth,  retrieve a tennis ball, swim--and eat--everything in sight! Yes, labs are well known for their appetite and Belle was no exception.  She once ate an entire Papa Murphy's extra large pizza from our countertop and let's not forget that two lb. box of See's candy under the Christmas Tree one year.  Chocolate is poison for dogs, but since the chocolate was mostly nuts with chocolate, and she was 80 lbs., she went through an "exciteability" stage and endured some stomach upset, but was fine. When you say "the dog ate my homework" it is really true in my case.  About three weeks ago she actually tore the cover off my Free Speech book and ripped some papers to shreds in her search for food.  I knew last week when she didn't want to eat her food (or my homework) anymore that she was very unwell.  I tried to hand feed her popsicles and give her special treats.  I did not want to believe that her time with us was ending. Labs generally have a 10-12 year lifespan, and Belle would have been fifteen in April. 

Little Girl with Mr. Budders

She was the best therapy dog a person could ask for. If I was sick and spent all day in bed, she would sleep beside me all day.  She protected me from strangers and had an uncanny sense for danger.  For the first twelve years of her life she went with me everywhere in the car to the boys' activities.  She went on vacations with us to our Hayfork cabin (near Redding), to visit my son in school at UCLA and U. C. Davis, to visit that same son in Arizona when he played for the Cardinals.   If we had to leave town with no option of taking her, we hired the best sitters to come to our home--with the stipulation that Belle was allowed to sleep with them!  She slept in my bed with me until her arthritis got too bad, so we made her a ramp.  Then she didn't want to sleep in our bed anymore, but beside us in her favorite bed. 

I brought many dogs home to foster from A.F.R.P., but she never made a fuss.  She always got along well with the other dogs and sometimes became best buddies with them.  Like our blind Mr. Budders that I blogged about previously.  She was very interested in a pregnant Pomeranian I fostered, which had pups in the middle of the night.  She sat by me as each one was delivered, curiously watching, and waiting. But that was not unusual, she was always by my side, a loyal companion in every respect.

Belle in her hey day at a Tea Party

Belle during her last days

I (we) truly miss this beautiful and amazing animal.   She made our lives better just by existing. She was a part of our family and was loved by everyone, but everyone also knew she was my "Little Girl."