Remembering Bella

And just like that, nearly 17 years went by in the blink of an eye.

It’s with the saddest of hearts that I share that last Friday, my precious Bella grew her angel wings and transitioned to the life beyond this one.

Bella’s story began as a tiny puppy left on the street—discarded like trash. But for nearly 17 years, she was the treasure of my heart.

She brought more joy, love, and adventure into my life than I could have ever imagined. Bella changed my life in ways I’ll forever be grateful for. Because of her, I discovered my love for dog training, started Bella B’s BARK-ery, and found a world of opportunities and friendships I will always treasure.

A Life Full of Adventure

Bella was always ready for the next adventure. We traveled to Big Bear, San Diego, Visalia, and countless times to Morro Bay—our happy place. Day trips to Ventura to escape the valley heat were a regular part of our lives. She was up for anything: going for a walk, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, even a boat ride!

Her whole life was a joyful, spontaneous bucket list. She was featured in a magazine and a newspaper, took second place in a Valentine’s Day costume contest, and last year, we celebrated her Sweet 16 with the sweetest party.

Our Dog Training Years

When Bella was around three, we started obedience classes at J9’s K9's, and we both loved it. Bella was always eager to learn new tricks, run agility courses, and play whatever fun games Janine had in store. We went on field trips to places like Lowe’s, pet-friendly restaurants, and even Candy Cane Lane during Christmas. Over the years, we took many classes, always for fun, to keep learning and growing together. It was also where we met some of our really sweet friends that we are still friends with today. 

Bella earned her Canine Good Citizen certification and her Novice and Intermediate Trick titles through the AKC—something I never imagined when I first brought her home.

Janine opened up a whole new world for us, and I will forever be grateful. Her classes, mentoring, and friendship over the years helped shape the incredible life Bella and I shared. 

The Blessings of Bella

Bella wasn’t just my dog; she was a force of kindness. Together, with the help of friends, we collected hundreds—maybe even thousands—of blankets, treats, and comfort items for pets in shelters and rescues. She especially  loved seeing Jake at the east valley shelter and showing off her tricks when we did our drop offs.

There were also times Bella would suddenly have a mystery “injury” or “illness,” prompting an urgent vet visit—only for her to miraculously recover after comforting someone in the waiting room who had just lost a pet or was facing devastating news. She knew her purpose in those moments was to offer comfort. I can think of at least 3 times this happened, and it never felt like coincidence. Thankfully her vet let us cancel our appointment after whitesesing she was totally fine, that worked out good for my wallet too! 

The Foster Years

Bella wasn’t just an amazing companion to me; she was a wonderful foster sister to Tyra and later Dorothy.

Tyra, who was initially dog-aggressive, slowly came around, thanks in large part to Bella’s gentle, patient nature. I had strict routines to ensure everyone’s safety, but honestly, it only worked because Bella was such a kind soul.

Dorothy was a different story—she and Bella clicked right away. Dorothy loved to pretend she was the boss, standing on Bella, scratching her chest, and barking as if to say, “You want a piece of this?” Bella would just lie there, letting her have her moment. They brought so much laughter and joy into our home.

The Inspiration Behind Bella B’s BARK-ery

It’s because of Bella that I started Bella B’s BARK-ery. When she was younger, her fur was all black, and I wanted to find a cute collar that really showed off her personality—but I couldn’t find anything that felt just right. So, I decided to make one myself. That simple desire to create something special for her grew into a whole business.

Every accessory I’ve made since then has been inspired by the love I had for her and the joy she brought into my life. She wasn’t just the inspiration behind Bella B’s BARK-ery—she was the heart of it.

The Caregiving Years

4 years ago Bella and I shifted into a new chapter—taking care of each other. In 2021 I faced one of the hardest challenges of my life—blood clots—Bella was my rock. On nights when fear crept in and I felt so sick I wasn’t sure I’d make it, she stayed right by my side. She instinctively knew when to cuddle closer, kiss away my tears, or make me laugh when I needed it most. She gave me strength when I had none, and I truly don’t know how I would have made it through without her.

I’m so grateful I made it through my health struggles because it meant I could take care of Bella, and I loved most every moment of it. I loved fixing her meals, making her homemade treats, and changing her blankets every day so her bed was always fresh and cozy. I’d wake up in the middle of the night just to cover her with a blanket, ensuring she stayed warm and comfortable. Going for walks with her was always the highlight of my day. I’d talk to her all the time, telling her how much I loved her, even if she’d heard it a million times before. I planned my days around her needs because nothing mattered more than her happiness. I adored the way she’d look at me with those wise, soulful eyes, as if she knew all my thoughts and loved me anyway. Caring for her wasn’t just a responsibility; it was the greatest privilege of my life.

The Little Things I’ll Miss the Most

It’s the little things that are the hardest to live without. I miss how Bella would always greet me at the door with a toy, her tail wagging like it was the best part of her day—because it was definitely the best part of mine.  She LOVED her toys and always had one close by to play with but mostly tease me with!  She'd act like she wanted me to play with her and her toy but it was more like a game of keep away from me! At my mom’s house, she’d scratch at the closet door to politely “ask” for her toys, ready for playtime.

She loved car rides, always ready for the next adventure, no matter how short the trip. Every night, right at 8:00, she’d remind me it was time for her fish stick, like clockwork, with that expectant little look that always made me smile.  She had the funniest habit of running away whenever she heard a fart—whether it was hers or someone else’s—like she wanted no part of that situation! And nearly every single night, she slept under the covers with me. Even when it was too hot, she’d wiggle her way in because that’s where she belonged—right by my side. I loved every second of it. I’d give anything to feel her snuggled up next to me just one more time. 

A Love That Never Ends

Bella adored my mom.  Maybe because my mom always had cookies for her! haha . My mom had this funny way of “voicing” what Bella was thinking, and it never failed to make us laugh. Their bond was special in its own right.  

Even though we shared nearly 17 years and countless moments I’ll cherish forever, words will never feel like enough to capture how truly special she was. Our life together was filled with more love, laughter, and lessons than I ever thought possible.  I am so sad I have to live the rest of my life without her.