Two dogs, many memories
Eleven years ago I posted this photograph on Facebook. It shows Susie-Belle stood in our kitchen at Michel’s feet. A position she often took up.
Susie-Belle loved her food, we found it was a great way to get past her armour in our early months together. A time when, for her everything was worrisome. The world she was in, away from the puppy farm was new and full of things she’d never encountered. Including good food. So we utilised our own abundant interest in good food and fine flavours and helped along our connection with Susie-Belle, forging a relationship that changed my life forever.
When the photo came up this morning in my Facebook memories, I sent it to my friend Anne. She has her own version of Susie-Belle in her life, Bella. Like Susie-Belle, she loves her food and will more or less do anything to get whatever she fancies. And, just as with Susie-Belle, Bella’s life before rescue was indescribably hard. She left the breeding industry with numerous, complicated health issues, which have continued to present multiple challenges. But, as with Susie-Belle a stoical resilience to survive carries Bella on, against every odd that professionals ever offer. At the start of the year, after a major health crisis, vets advised that Bella was unlikely to see the Spring. But, she enjoyed a great one, and then an even better summer and is about to enjoy the last of the Schnauzerfest Month walks tomorrow.
If quality of life can be judged by anything, I fancy living Bella’s at times. She’s precious and is treated exactly as she deserves. I sent Anne the photo of Susie-Belle at Michel’s feet as Bella often reminds me of my much missed friend. Anne sent me this back.
In the photo Bella stands at Michel’s feet in the kitchen in the summer of 2022. It was a holiday full of moments like that, when I would glance at Bella and see Susie-Belle. Same stance, determination, focus and desire to get whatever Michel was cooking. Same look, appearance, stoicism, and complete beauty. Two gentle but strong souls who should never have had the hard path through life that years in the breeding industry caused them. Both dogs whose presence in the world make it a nicer place for all who share time with them. Even if, it’s just from memories. Here’s to creating many more Bellla.
