Bella

About eight years ago, Jenn and I went to the dog park with Bailey, Miles and Parker.  The sweetest golden retriever mix took refuge underneath me on the bench...after talking to her foster mom, we found out that she had been tied to a tree in the back of an abandoned house.  They had been nursing her to health, and she was up for adoption.

I immediately went home to Paul and we decided that Bailey and Rawwr needed a friend, and the rest is history.  She never quite outgrew that timidness, but the security of Bailey and Rawwrr seemed to make her the happiest puppy on the face of the Earth.

Bella was always a willing participant.  She just loved being loved.

I think that this has to be my favorite picture of all of our animals...Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus for our Christmas card.  Although Bella really seemed to steal the show with her performance of Mary.

About three months ago, Bella was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Unfortunately, she had a really aggressive form of it.  At the time, Bailey's condition was far more serious so she gladly took the backseat to her brother.

The doctors say it was the cancer... I believe it was from a broken heart, but yesterday Bella went to heaven to be with Bailey.  From the day Bailey died ten days ago, Bella has slowly deteriorated and yesterday the doctors agreed that she was suffering and it was time.

It has been a tough year for us, losing three animals in 7 months.  But they are all together now and will never be forgotten.