Bella was my beloved Brussels Griffon. We got her when she was 8 weeks old. She was the youngest of the three muskateers, Gucci and Holly were 6 months apart born April 1, and Nov 1 2004...The three brought our entire family years of laughter and a few close calls. Bella loved to go on a walkabout if she could escape...When I lived in North Vancouver she escaped and we were fortunate that someone grabbed her and immediately took her to a rescue. They scanned her as she was chipped so we were able to get her back...
In 2014 we added Elle our Bouvier to the pack and at 100 pounds Elle did exactly what gucci, holly or bella wanted and those dogs were 5 pounds, 5 pounds and Bella 10 pounds...but those littles ruled her...So when it came to just Bella and Elle, Elle took particularly good care of Bella, especially at the dog park. If any dog her human attempted to get near her Elle would charge in and shove them out of the way...get between whatever and whoever to protect her beloved older bu so little sister.
Bella traveled all over North America with me...and Holly of course...either under the plane seat or with both in a crate..They loved it and were never stressed...We were on a Horizon flight out of Seattle and I was picking them up and one of the attendants says...is there a duck in cargo what is that honking...It was Holly loudly going let me out...I know we are at the gate...LOL...
So Thursday morning May 7th was awful...I woke to find Bella in a corner not able to get up...I got her up to drink some water...she wouldn't so I started syringing it in...cooked some chicken...wouldn't eat...got her to poop and pee but she couldn't stay upright...Elle tried to get her nose under her butt to help but she was in horrible shape. I videoed her and sent it to my vet in Stevdstong and booked a call. The Steveston vet hospital under Dr. Galloway had taken care of Holly, Bella, and Elle from baby's....Dr. Galloway did Holly's life-saving liver surgery when she was 2 years old but sadly Dr. Galloway passed away last year. His amazing daughter Dr. Brianna Galloway has taken over and she said to me...you have to get her to a vet right away she is in really bad shape. A wonderful vet in Sidney agreed to see her...with COVID-19 we had to do our social distancing but he did a thorough examination...she was screaming and he said to me...she is too old for surgery she won't recover and she is in a lot of pain...I can send her home with some pain meds but its palliative and if you were my regular customer I would recommend euthanasia now...but you have to be ready...
You can never be ready for that...my daughter said Mom...its not fair...and through my tears and in my heart you know you can't keep them and I understand believe that when dogs transition they join their pack over the Rainbow Bridge...but I went...I cannot hold her when she goes...so we put together the plan to follow social distancing and I hold my girl with my daughter while she transitioned..I thought I was going to die too...15 years of constant companion...fun and laughs...Waking up to a bundle of wiggling tail and butt and big brown eyes going is it time for breakfast...not there to greet me ...Elle was confused for the first few days and then the realization hit her and she would crawl into my lap...front paws on my chest head on my shoulder looking into my eyes going Momma where is she...I miss her...and I would cry...even tho I know she is frolicking with Hugo, Boss, Sam, Coco, Holly, Gucci, Bruce Willis, and our cats...It's brutal without her but all this pain was worth 15 years of fun and love...I am so grateful for all of my dogs in my life...So love your pets and all animals...give them a hug for me...I love you!