In Loving Memory of Belle

Monday evening Dustin and I spent our last moments with Belle. This will be brief as it is tremendously difficult. I have just now barely gained the composure and guts to write this.

One year and a couple of weeks ago Belle and I met. At first glimpse I knew that she was born to be loved by me and enrich my life as well. I brought her home and instantly fell in love with her funny personality and silly quarks. It was love at first sight for Dustin as well, especially since I surprised him with a puppy. He was shocked, but knew she was the perfect choice.

Belle played outside most of the day as Dustin and I have been able to be home more often with his lightened class schedule. She would always play chase with Koda and happily run around the yard. However, on Monday afternoon in some freak happening Belle took of down the driveway in a sprint too fast for Dustin or I to catch or call her back. We gave every effort to catch her, call her, and stop traffic, but at that point it was too late; our Belle had been in an accident.

There is no doubt that she loved every minute with us as a part of our family, and we adored her more than anything. The past few days around the house have been difficult. It is hard when we pull in the driveway because she is not looking out the window waiting for us to return, she does not jump into my arms the instant I open the door to the house, and no longer helps me cook meals by catching the yummy food that I "accidentally" drop on the floor for her. My other cuddling partner is no longer there to wake me up in the morning or to play tug of war with my laundry. I'm glad that I was given the year that I had with her. There was never and will never be another Belle. Here is a picture of her latest trick (balancing on Dustin's head), taken moments before she rang the bell to go outside one last time to play.