Not Enough Time

Our dear sweet Bella,

When we first saw your pictures and read your profile on Petfinder.com, we knew we had to have you join our pack.  You were dropped off at a high-kill shelter in Kentucky. Whoever did that didn't have the decency to even sign you in; they found you ouside, searching for food. You were rescued by Lifelongtails in Sydney, NY who put your profile on Petfinder. Click on the pictures to enlarge them:

When I picked you up on December 12, 2009, you were emaciated; I could see not only your ribs but also your spine. You had recently given birth and your puppies were taken away. As I drove you home, I told you about the new life you were going to have as I played Nora Jones on the stereo. You slept most of the time but seemed to listen to every one of my words. All I could think on the drive home was "what a beautifull, sweet, innocent soul".

When I got you home you perked up and even though you had every reason to be sad, you were a happy girl. You were home. Click on the triangle to play the video:

At first, Sparky wasn't happy that another Beagle was in his house.

But soon enough, he gave in to your beauty and fell in love with you just as we did.

He had not only a playmate but someone who loved him too.

Of course, you two were in love with each other.

You and I felt a connection from the start.  You loved to be loved and your favorite place was with the Daddyguy. I've never had anyone, human or otherwise, love me the way you did. Your love was unconditional, true and unending.  We were soulmates.

You used to demand that I pay the "love toll" and give you hugs and kisses everytime I went down the stairs. You also loved curling up next to me when I worked in the home office.  If I failed to let you come downstairs with me, you'd cry until I gave in.

Of course, we wanted to spoil our pretty girl. We not only got you coats and jackets, we also got you jerseys, tie dyes, sweaters and jammies.

You didn't even complain when we put those antlers on you.

When we first got you, you had nightmares constantly. Not dreams, but real nightmares where you cried in your sleep. We would rub your back and whisper in your ear that mommy and daddy loved their baby girl and it was ok.  As time went on, your nightmares were replaced by dreams where you ran and barked like a Beagle should.  You used to love rolling on your back. You were a happy girl.

We loved "spoiling" you and your brother.  To us, every Beagle should have their own couch with memory foam cushions and a 19" high definition LCD TV tuned to Animal Planet.

Suddenly, you got sick. You, like all Beagles, had this nasty habit of eating things you shouldn't then getting sick to your tummy.  I gave you some pepto and started going out in the yard with you to make sure you weren't eating any yucky stuff.  You seemed to get better but on June 17, you started feeling yucky again.  Even Sparky was concerned about his baby sister and stayed by your side. We resolved to take you to the vet the next day and gave you hugs and kisses and sang you to sleep.

The next morning, we found to our horror you had died during the night, laying beside me on our bed.  We had no idea you were so sick.  Our sweet baby girl had been taken from us. Our hearts are broken.  They'll never heal, we'll just learn to live with your loss.  Eighteen months is not enough time to be with you.  May we see you again.  Until then, rest in peace my dear, mommy and daddy miss you and will love you always.