I want to explain how Bella came to be in my life. I was not looking for a dog, had never even really considered a Rottweiler and had a lab mix already.  When my son was 16 he came from the neighbors carrying this rather large puppy in his arms with the usual, “Mom can I keep her? I promise to take care of her.” Our neighbor (and friend) had just had to put his Rottweiler down and someone gave him this three month old puppy that he did not feel ready for, so he told my son to bring her down to me and see what I thought, knowing full well I would fall in love, which I did. The sad part was Bella was about three months old at the time and had been abused, or mistreated, and was very fearful. Loving, but fearful. I of course said yes, we will keep her.

I took her to the vet a few days later and he explained to me in no uncertain terms that if I did not get the proper training and socialization for her I would not be able to handle her in a year or two. Believing every word he said I contacted a lovely lady named Laura, and Bella and I were off to puppy class. She learned the basic commands easily and became the most social, loving, sweet tempered dog. Her hips were x-rayed and were very good, something which made me quite happy, she has never had any medical problems, always healthy.  I should also explain that my vet is a Rottweiler devotee, having had his for thirteen years and losing her just three weeks ago after a year long battle with bone cancer. Bella is wonderful with children, I have nine grandkids, other dogs (though she is afraid of very small dogs that bark at her! And will walk away if they start), and cats. One of her favorite pastimes is shadow chasing, which she does little of these days. She is protective of me and my kids and grandkids, but not in an aggressive way. I just know that it would hit the fan if anyone ever tried to hurt one of us. So instead of my son getting a puppy, mom got the love of her life.

Spondylosis is a degenerative disease. At this point we have opted for no pain meds, I believe the vet mentioned Rimadyl? But he and I both agree that to rid her of all pain may be dangerous, as it may cause her to do something and actually “blow out” the disk, which can result in spinal cord damage and paralysis. I guess the paralysis is my worst fear because at that point I would have to put her down if she becomes incapacitated or is in a great deal of pain, which she seems not to be at this point. They still sometimes do hemilaminectomies but I have already ruled that out, I think.

Bella seems to be in no pain, thankfully. In my life I have had several dogs, but Bella is my special one. She is such a part of me and my life. We will see how things progress, or more hopefully do not progress.

UPDATE ON BELLA...
July 14, 2003: I emailed you a few months ago with my story of Bella. Now I have more bad news but nothing definite as we are going to see the specialist tomorrow. Bella has many white spots in her chest-on x-ray; the emergency vet that we took Bella to says cancer. I took her today because something was just not right, nothing major and I did not notice the blood in her eye until we got to the vet.  Her right eye was bloody, she is panting much more than usual. His differential diagnosis is hyphema, lung nodules, possible neoplasia or disseminated fungal infection. (I doubt the latter). So we will go see her regular vet in the morning then on to the specialist. I needless to say am heartbroken, but for tonight Bella is home with me and happy and comfortable. I will let you know how Bellas story turns out.

Later that day: After spending two days with vets, the specialist did an ultrasound and aspirated her spleen, her best guess is lymphosarcoma. We will have the results back tomorrow about noon. For today she is home and comfortable.

July 15, 2003: Bella has hemangiosarcoma. While my vet is talking with an oncologist today, my understanding is that by the time it has spread to the lungs the prognosis is poor. She is at home today with my son and comfortable but my dear old friend and I will probably take our last ride together in the next couple of days. This is the hardest thing I have ever done Liz.

July 16, 2003:  At 5:10 p.m. today my best friend Bella went to sleep for the last time. It was peaceful, she was with those she loved and who loved her. There is emptiness in our house that you can see; the hole in my heart is less visible but there none the less. I like to think that she can again run and chase shadows and that she is with my mom and dad. They can take her to the race track and my dad can feed her all of the ice cream cones she wants, there is no weight issue where they are. We spent our last day lying on the floor and she ate two ice cream cones and even a cone full of baby food meat, treats she loved and never got. Last night was a rough one for her with breathing and today she was having some trouble walking. You were right, she told me and because I love her so much I listened. I saw her pathology report today, what a mess. I will have her ashes returned to me and keep her with me and someday we will again be together.

Thank you Liz for your support.