My Rescue Dog Bella

This lens is about my adopted dog Bella who I adopted from the pound a few years ago. She is so loyal and sweet. I can always count on her to cheer me up when I am down. The happiness and companionship she gives me is indescribable. I think she knows that I rescued her from the pound because she shows more loyalty than any dog I've ever met. She is so attached to me, and I must say, I've become very attached to her as well. This lens is dedicated to Bella and all the dogs at animal shelters.

Update: December 30, 2010. I am so sad by the sudden change in Bella's health. Bella has suffered 2 strokes this week. She is old and the strokes have taken a toll on her. I know that the time is near that I will have to put her to sleep. The time has come for her to go to rainbow bridge. I can not stop crying. I love her so much.

My Sweet Bella died today (December 31, 2010)

The strokes combined with the blindness and seizures became all too much for Bella and really took a toll on her. Making the decision to have her put to sleep was one of the hardest and saddest things I ever had to do. She was so brave at the end. I know she is in a happy place free of pain but I miss her so very much. At the hospital I thanked her for being such a great friend and always being there for me... she looked up at me and licked my face one last time.

I took this photo on the last day of her life. All I have now is a lock of her hair and my precious memories of her.

RIP my sweet Bella. I love you.

If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.

Bella's health deteriorated so much that we had to hand feed her. We knew in our hearts that the end was near.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

A lovely gift for anyone suffer from the loss of a pet.

This was Bella's first day in her new home! I think she was trying to hide under the couch but couldn't fit! She took to me very quickly and now follows me all over the house. She could be in a dead sleep and if I walk out of the room, she'll wake up and follow.

I adopted Bella from the pound in 2007. I don't know much about her history except for what the pound told me, which was that they found her wondering the streets and "thought" she might be about 10 years old. She was listed as a Purebreed Pomeranian and weighed 11 pounds. She looked like one big round puff ball when I adoped her. I can't remember what the fee was to adopt her but it wasn't much. I also received a discount for rescuing what they call a "senior" dog. She came with all her shots too.

Bella adjusted well to her new home. She's a great dog and never chewed on anything or attempted to get on the furniture or go upstairs. She doesn't nip or bite...even when playing. She actually likes sleeping in her dog house at night and waits at the door to be let out when she is tired and ready to sleep. She is gentle with the cat and people...and lets everyone pet her and other dogs sniff her. Lol. She also does a great job at letting me know when people are at the door or when the gardeners and trashmen are around. Her smile and love brightens so many of my days.

Someone once told me that adopted dogs are different from other dogs....that they somehow know they were saved and they show appreciation. I think its true.

Adopted dogs are special!

(Bella came with her own "bag of tricks"...read more about it further down the lens)

Here in this house......

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.

I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.

I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.

I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.

I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,

and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.

My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.

I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,

I can enjoy the warmth of the words.

I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.

My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.

I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.

I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.

I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.

I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.

If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...

knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.

If I am ill, I will be doctored.

If scared, I will be calmed.

If sad, I will be cheered.

No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.

I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.

My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.

I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...

I will belong.

I will be home.

~unknown

My mommy was given a Squidoo quest to build a wish list for me, but honestly, I have everything I need, including plenty of food and water, indoor and outdoor houses, plenty of cute little clothes that she likes to dress me in, several leashes and toys, a bike basket and even a stroller. So, there is only one thing on my wish list, which is for every dog to have a loving home. There are too many of us in the pound and roaming the streets with nobody to love us. Please consider adopting a pet. If you can't adopt a pet please consider donating money or your time to your local pound. Oh, and don't forget to get your pets spade and neutered, this will help to control the pet population and the number of homeless pets. Thank you!

Bella was already about 10 years old when I adopted her so she came with her own bag of tricks. Since adopting her I've discovered that she knows how to sit, stay, and shake. She knows "go outside", "want to go for a ride", "do you want a treat?", and "are you hungry?". I wish she knew "stop staring at me while I'm eating"!...and how to scoop her own poop like this dog!!!

I shave all of her hair in the summer because 100 degree weather is way too hot for all that hair...even for a Pomeranian. She loves her short hair and runs around acting like a young pup on haircut day. She looks so much younger with this style that people actually think she is a puppy. (She's about 12 years old!)

Adopt a pet from the animal shelter instead of buying one from a breeder and you'll save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars...plus you'll be saving a life!

Create a custom dog tee for your pooch. You can add photos and or text to any dog tee - for free! Your pup will be styling in this 100% combed, ringspun cotton baby rib tank top. Available in 6 colors and 7 sizes! Contrast double-needle ribbed binding on the neck, sleeves and bottom seam provides a comfy fit for your furry friend.

Create Your Own Doggie Tee by TeeZazzle

Bella in her rain gear. It doesn't rain that much in California but when it does, she's prepared!

Look at the big smile on her face! She was always smiling.

If Bella had not passed, I would not have rescued the 2 dogs I have now...Plus the one I showed my neighbor and they adopted. As a result of these 3 dogs being adopted, the rescue shelter was able to take in 3 more dogs. So I look at it as Bella's passing saved the lives of 6 dogs. The photo is of my 2 new rescue dogs, Tinker and Nanna.

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