I know it has been a long time since I have posted and this is one I have had to build up to. I apologize to all first time readers up front,but to all of our regular friends and guests, I knew you would want to know of mine and Tinas loss of a dear family member, Bella.
You wouldn’t think on a beautiful fall day with all the leaves changing that I would sit down and write about our dog. But today is the kind of day that Bella loved. You see , she was a very spoiled dog. She didnt like it too hot or too cold and today is a perfect day, and she is heavy on my mind. As most of you know, Bella was pretty much a dog with very few skills. She couldn’t swim, or fetch, or catch the squirrels or deer she chased. She didn’t do tricks and she didn’t always come when she was called. As a matter of fact, this great big 140 lb South African Boerboel didn’t DO much of anything. There was only really one thing she was an expert at, and it was obvious to everyone that was around her what that was.
She was absolutely perfect at being Tina’s best friend. Yes that’s it,that’s all. She really couldn’t do much else. Oh she could beg for food, and shake, and make very sad faces. She could scare bad things away {except thunder} she could snore better than any dog or person I know, and she was a world class poser. I only ascertained this after realizing that she was the most photographed part of our lodge 10 to 1 above anything else. She was also very charismatic as virtually everyone tried to take her home.Even with these few skills it was obvious to everybody that God made Bella to be Tina’s best friend. This was Bellas purpose in life,and she took her job very seriously.Everywhere that Tina went, Bella went. Everything that Tina did Bella did. She walked, she went to and into the bank, she grocery shopped, she napped, she did virtually everything with Tina. At seven weeks old she picked Tina as hers, not the other way around. Out of a litter of 14, she charmed and jumped and rolled into Tina’s life and somehow got inextricably entwined with both of us in a very special way. She was truly a great dog. A gentle giant, in size and spirit.
As most of you know, Tina is a cancer survivor, and Bella was there through it all for her. The chemotherapy, the radiation and all that goes with it, Bella was at her side. Unfortunately Bella contracted the same horrible disease, and we couldn’t beat it. Rather than have her suffer, Tina and I were with her as she passed into a peaceful better place. She was, and always will be, our gentle giant.
If tears and wishes could bring her back, she would be here forever!
