Eight years ago, when I was fostering dogs for APB,
I had the pleasure of bringing home Belle, a two year old husky/Shep/yellow
Lab mix who had been in and out of foster and "forever" homes due to dog
aggression. She promptly ran away. We spent a couple of hours that
first night just trying to get her home.
Two weeks later I brought her dutifully to pet parade, and decided
within about ten minutes that I was going to adopt her. I could not
bear to think about her not living with us.
It took some time for her to stop running away. It took less time for
her to stop fighting with Finn, my black lab. Eventually, though, Belle
began to understand that she was home, and that nothing would ever make
us give her up.
During her time with us I had two babies. She loved them as her own.
We moved three times. She nervously endured the change. My dad died.
She comforted me in her soft, silent way. I graduated from vet school.
She was there for every study session.
Last August, Belle was struck with an unexplained paralysis. We treated
her with steroids and pain relief, and carried all 70 lbs of her in and
out of the house as needed. three weeks later, we made the difficult
decision to euthanize her. Belle died in my arms,
peacefully, having led the life every dog dreams of, as a member of our
family.
Thanks to APB, we had the chance to love Belle, and she had the chance
to love us. Keep up the good work.
-Janelle
Janelle Durrett Tirrell, DVM
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Belle
