The Other Bella

Bella came to live with us several months ago, soon after we had lost our black German shepherd, Heidi, to diabetes and blindness. We had come to love the breed, and so would settle for nothing less. It took some extensive dog shopping, but we finally found a white German shepherd that we felt would fill the gap. Since Bella weighed in at almost 60lbs. and could put her front paws on my shoulders in jubilation, I never quite accepted the fact she was just a puppy. It didn't take long, though, for that to become apparent. All she wanted to do was play!! With me, with my husband, with the cats, and with anyone who happened to stop by. The first time she saw snow, she raced around the yard snapping at the flakes and sliding down the hills. Anything left lying around the yard was fair game to Bella; a bucket, a rag, a newspaper. She soon began gathering her "toys" into a pile on the hill behind the house. EVERYTHING was a game to her...and still is.

Now that she will be a year old next month, she has become an integral part of our family. She is often too rambunctious, always unruly, sometimes troublesome, but through it all, full of unconditional love. I've had one dog or another through most of my life and suspect I like it that way...

Cassie, My Cat

OK. Let's start with Cassie. I've always loved cats and have had many in my lifetime. Several years ago, a neighbor moved out and left a bevy of cats to fend for themselves. We live out in the country where neighbors are few and far between, so this was very sad. Every day as I passed by, I would see cats sitting on the porch, waiting... One by one, they seemed to disappear.

One afternoon I pulled my car up in front of the house and did my squeaky kitty, kitty, kitty routine, and low and behold, out came this beautiful long-haired pastel tortoise (my personal description). She got into my car, curled up on my lap, and began purring. She was mine!!


In the years we have had her, she has been the perfect companion and friend. Although my husband claims to dislike cats, Cassie lies on his lap, or usually his arm, every evening in front of the TV. When I tell her I am going to bed, she gets up and goes into the bedroom, ready to lie at my feet for the night.

She, like us, is getting "on in years", but I'll always be glad I stopped that day.