September 2025
Jane Powell
This story begins sixteen years ago, when a friend of a friend’s brother’s uncle’s cousin’s aunt’s neighbor on the next farm over had a dog heavy with pups.
Well, this makes sense in West Virginia, and I took a cautious leap of faith and asked for pictures. Of course, I fell in love. There was a cream-colored female who, through photos, I thought would be perfect.
Over the next few weeks, I watched the litter grow and became attached to the cream butterball. Then the day came when I borrowed a neighbor’s outdoor playpen and a car full of pups arrived at the little house on the big hill.
It was a neighborhood event. Everyone was here, and the puppies were rambunctious and adorable. They said all were healthy and ready for new homes.
I brought the cream pup into the house, introduced her to the cat, and all seemed to be going okay, until I noticed the black and white pup in the corner. They told me she was quite special, but I wasn’t having it. Despite her calm demeanor and soulful eyes watching me, I had chosen the cream pup. Ha!
That day, the little black and white pup chose me and continued to choose me every day for almost sixteen years. I was her person.
As a neighborhood, we named her and watched her grow. Through the years, she was my constant companion and a reminder of those life lessons we know but sometimes forget when dealing with busy schedules, grouchy people, and the annoyances of daily life.
To explore. Every trip outside is an adventure filled with new sights and smells.
To announce and welcome visitors. It’s okay to be cautious of strangers and make a little noise, but remember to greet friends with enthusiasm and a tail wag.
Work hard. If you are digging a hole, dig it fast and dig it deep. Don’t worry about getting dirty, just dig. My neighbor across the street would watch her dig, then toss the plastic plant pots around, chewing until they no longer crackled or had any crunch left to attack.
Stay hydrated. First thing in the morning, after a nap, or a Netflix binge, a big drink of water is necessary. Her favorite was a long drink from the garden hose after we watered the plants. Oh my, how she loved the water hose!
Take a break. Find a shady spot and rest when needed. For the pup, this was often the cool cement floor of the outdoor potting shed. She could cool off but still watch me work.
Enjoy a treat. Popcorn and chicken nuggets were her favorites. A drive-thru pup cup would send her to a whole other level of excitement. Funny how, even for me, a shot of whipped topping makes most things better.
Exercise. Treats and naps are wonderful, but exercise is essential. She was a yogi, mastering downward dog stretches. Laps around the back garden, through the house, or chasing a silly cat that had the nerve to walk through the yard, she knew exercise was good.
Enjoy the seasons. Although she didn’t like rain, she enjoyed all the seasons and the changes in weather they brought. Spring clean-up was a game, and spreading mulch was her favorite garden chore. She would bite at the bag, pulling it from my hands to “help” get the mulch to the ground faster. Fall leaf piles must have smelled good; she never tired of sniffing her way through the leaves, making a mess of my raking.
Enjoy a routine. Her internal clock was always right on time. Wake up, breakfast, a visit with her doggie friend down the street, then dinner, chores, a little television and bedtime. Bedtime was non-negotiable. She sat at the bottom of the stairs until I followed. If we had guests, they learned to follow the rules.
Love unconditionally. Oh, she would pout, but that lasted about 5 minutes, then it was all snuggles, puppy dog eyes, and belly rubs.
Right now, the garden is a lonely place. It is also overgrown. As she slowed down this summer, I pulled fewer weeds and trimmed less overgrowth. Some nights I forgot to water. I answered fewer emails and ignored a few phone calls. I knew my time with this precious pup was limited.
A few weeks ago, with tears in my eyes and love in my heart, I said goodbye to the pup. She was tired and weak. She was ready. I was not. Yet, I knew that, once again, just as I had sixteen years ago, I needed to follow her lead and that meant letting her go.
Many thanks to the doctors and staff of Valley West Veterinary Hospital, as well as the friends and neighbors who loved her. Sweet Bella will be the pup I compare all others to, and she will be forever my girl.