In Loving Memory - Bella

April 2003  - October 24, 2007
4-1/2 Precious Years

On a late April afternoon in 2003, I was at the Pet Expo at the Orange County Fairgrounds with two of my boxers in the Meet the Boxer Booth.  My friend and I decided to walk around as the last day of the Pet Expo was coming to a close, when I saw Bella at the Boxer Rescue LA booth.  There was no doubt in my mind as I told Dana, "She's coming home right now."  And come home she did.  We didn't know how old she was, but she was referred to as a "Permanent Senior Foster".  She had been left on the streets to fend for herself after being abused and beaten (her poor little tail could only wag to one side).  She obviously had once been a proud and noble boxer, but the years of having litter after litter proved her unable to produce any longer; thus, she was of no use to anyone.  WRONG!  She happily came with me and into her new home where I made her this promise:  "Bella, you will never be cold, wet or hungry again."  And she never was.

This was Bella when she first came to our house.  She settled in quickly. She had two other boxers to play with; but, play was not in Bella's vocabulary.  Bella was in charge and the matriarch of the pack.  While with us, she introduced proper boxer behavior to the young ones and became Annie's very best friend.

Above is Bella and Annie -- so happy to be with each other.  Below you'll see Bella taking yet another youngster under wing.  I can hear her saying to me....."not another one??

But, Bella's very, very best friend was my granddaughter, Aurellia.  Aurellia and Bella were inseparable and Aurellia is devastated at Bella's absence.  Please enjoy "Reilly" growing up with old Bella:

(*Editor note: BJ is a very responsible breeder and a long time supporter of BRLA. She knows whereeveryone one of her “children” are and refers many people to BRLA to adopt.)

In October 2006, our Elsie had a litter but, wanted nothing to do with them after three weeks, so I weaned them and gave them to Bella......her motherly instincts were astounding.  She was happy again, rolling on her old sore back to let the babies crawl all over her -- what a gal! 

During the past few months, Bella was showing signs her time was coming near to leave us.  She had a mammary gland tumor and was swelling with congestive heart failure.  She began sleeping close to 20 hours a day.  She tried so hard to keep on going, but she was no longer able to get on the couch and was dragging her hind feet.  Then, the terrible fires of San DiegoCounty started.  We had to evacuate.  This move from her comfortable home proved to be too much for Bella.  She became incontinent and stumbling.  We loved her too much to let her suffer.  On October 24, 2007, we took her to our vet and let her go.  The last words Bella heard as she slipped away was my voice telling her, "I love you, Bella, mama loves you."

Bella was one of your success stories; but, more importantly she was OUR success story.  Yes, we now have more beautiful healthy Boxers, but Bella's void will never be filled.   We miss her more than words can say.  For all of those who pass over the seniors, take my advice and think again.  Their time may be shorter than you would like, but the quality of that time more than makes up for the quantity of time you'll have with a senior.

Run free, Bella -- until we meet again............

B. J. Nunn
 

A final word from B.J.