Bella Blue Eyes 10/2008 - 7/10/2024
Bella was adopted from the Fairbanks Animal Shelter as a puppy in the summer of 2009. I fell for her beautiful blue eyes. Sookii picked her out as her maid-in-waiting. Bella loves Sookii madly. Shy and cringing almost with people, her personality in the puppy pack is the opposite. She's the boss she says and doesn't let any of them forget it.
Bella was about 6 months old when I adopted her and my first real challenge learning how to deal with a rescue dog with many issues. It was a year before she would come to me of her own volition for affection or anything. Luckily she would follow Sookii anywhere, indeed, wouldn't let Sookii out of her sight. So it was easy to get her in and out and this relationship with Sookii made her training much easier. She eventually learned to trust people and became an excellent leader as well.
At 3 years old, Bella was no longer shy and cringing but would come up to all our of our guests for pets now and even liked to join Sookii on the rides to town when we offered transportation to guests. The puppies out grew her and although she is able to bluff and grump her way with them most of the time she's not taken very seriously. She still adores Sookii and is rarely more than a few feet away from her. A true 'lady-in-waiting' for our little queen. While Sookii's affection for Bella isn't always obvious, it is evident. Bella is the only dog allowed to share Sookii's space.
Once, the two of them went for a run without us and were gone for hours. When they finally returned home together it was late at night. Bella was limping and what was left of her harness was twisted about her and in tatters. She must have gotten hung up on something out in the woods. Sookii was fresh and clean. It was clear she had just waited patiently for her best friend to chew herself free instead of leaving her there alone. We now have a Pet Safe Wireless Fence for the ones who like to wander.
Bella followed Sookii everywhere for all these years. Since Sookii passed she has regressed a bit and/or become a bit senile, otherwise she is doing well. She has transferred her attachment to Avett who shared space with her and Sookii since he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in February 2021. They sleep by the front door and patrol the front yard. Every step Avett takes, Bella is right behind him.
Bella passed in 2024 after a long healthy life.
Bella was about 6 months old when I adopted her and my first real challenge learning how to deal with a rescue dog with many issues. It was a year before she would come to me of her own volition for affection or anything. Luckily she would follow Sookii anywhere, indeed, wouldn't let Sookii out of her sight. So it was easy to get her in and out and this relationship with Sookii made her training much easier. She eventually learned to trust people and became an excellent leader as well.
At 3 years old, Bella was no longer shy and cringing but would come up to all our of our guests for pets now and even liked to join Sookii on the rides to town when we offered transportation to guests. The puppies out grew her and although she is able to bluff and grump her way with them most of the time she's not taken very seriously. She still adores Sookii and is rarely more than a few feet away from her. A true 'lady-in-waiting' for our little queen. While Sookii's affection for Bella isn't always obvious, it is evident. Bella is the only dog allowed to share Sookii's space.
Once, the two of them went for a run without us and were gone for hours. When they finally returned home together it was late at night. Bella was limping and what was left of her harness was twisted about her and in tatters. She must have gotten hung up on something out in the woods. Sookii was fresh and clean. It was clear she had just waited patiently for her best friend to chew herself free instead of leaving her there alone. We now have a Pet Safe Wireless Fence for the ones who like to wander.
Bella followed Sookii everywhere for all these years. Since Sookii passed she has regressed a bit and/or become a bit senile, otherwise she is doing well. She has transferred her attachment to Avett who shared space with her and Sookii since he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in February 2021. They sleep by the front door and patrol the front yard. Every step Avett takes, Bella is right behind him.
Bella passed in 2024 after a long healthy life.