(Post from the hubby!)

Our family was very blessed to have had 16 wonderful years with our Golden Retriever, Bella. We got her at 3 months old and had so many wonderful memories with her. Our daughter was 7 years old when we got her. Bella was about 7 years old when our son was born. Three years later, we got Harley, our Pitbull mix. I cannot explain just how much our children loved Bella. They both had their individual connection with her and she with them. Monkey would often lay with her. She knew that he required special patience. Dogs know. They just do. During her younger years, I would take her jogging with me, and she was always just an amazing companion. When she got older, my wife would put on her Christmas sweater, and we would call her grandma Bella as we saw the grayness in her fur.

As she got older, we were concerned for her. She couldn’t go up the steps. And then little by little, we noticed she wouldn’t be able to do much. She only wanted to sleep. Then one day, we knew it was time to let her go.

It was a Tuesday when we talked to the vet. We had made the difficult decision to put her down the following Thursday. She was in so much pain. The following day, Wednesday, we were trying to slow time and make the best of it with her. I remember the doorbell ringing. And as we went to see who was at the door, and Bella went outside using the back door. Our friend came to visit and after saying hi and offering some something to drink, we noticed Bella was laying outside on green grass. When we went to check on her, she had passed away. I still remember that moment. Grateful yet sad, relieved yet overwhelmed. It was a hard day. Bella insisted on closing her last day at home and not at a vet’s office like we had planned. She loved laying under the sun. And she left us in such a peaceful way.

The next couple of weeks were hard. Harley started sleeping with one of my daughter’s cuddle bears. She’d cry in her sleep. She was hurting.

We agreed there would be no other furry friend joining the family. Nobody would EVER replace our Bella. Even after a year went by and it was brought up by a family member, it was soon shot down by the rest of the family. One time a friend sends us a picture of a Golden Retriever needing a home. He was beautiful. But we said no, especially because he was a boy dog. It has been our experience that male dogs have not been a good fit for our family and female dogs have just been a better choice.

Then one day we went over to my mother in laws, and we saw this huge Great Pyrenees. The guy was massive. He was tied up and it bothered me a lot. The following week we went over, and he was there. But this time he was loose. I leaned over to the fence, and he came running to say hi. I was a little taken back because he was such a large dog, but he was very friendly.

For over a few weeks, we’d stop by, and he’d run over to say hi to us. One day the owner came over and said that “Rocco” was only 9 months old. I was taken back. He’s a huge dog! The same day I made a comment to my wife and said “I really like this dog. I wish I could take him home”. She reminded me we were not ready and that he was a male dog.

It was a Saturday afternoon when my mother-in-law called saying that the neighbor asked if we wanted to keep the dog and if so, to go get him right away. One of his children had developed a specific allergy to the dog. I didn’t hesitate and we picked him up. On our way home he placed his head on my lap, wagging his tail the whole time we drove home. We were nervous how Harley would react because she can be a very jealous and territorial dog. But they connected immediately. My daughter wanted to name him “Bad Bunny” after the artist but we agreed to “Benito”, the artist’s original name. We had now, officially, welcomed a new furry family member.

You see Benito is a different type of dog. He thinks everybody is his best friend. Friends and family who visit are greeted by Benito and he refuses to leave their side. He is such a hospitable guy and a friend to all. But more importantly he is amazing to our monkey. Benito loves to approach him and spend time with him. He constantly looks for him and is playing gently with him. At times our monkey just ignores him, but Benito loves to spend time with him. During the hard meltdowns, Harley tends to step away, but Benito is there trying to comfort as best as he can. We have to move him on the days when our son starts to pinch and scratch as we don’t want Benito to get hurt. But there are days where they play together, and the monkey is laughing with Benito. He loves to be with our son. We couldn’t be more grateful.

Now the thing is that Benito is a very clumsy guy. He doesn’t know how to stop on time and runs against the walls. He still has not mastered the stair and halfway. He will trip and fall down every time. A friend told us it’s because he is too that he struggles with coordination. He runs into things and breaks things constantly. The guy has no concept of just how big he is. But he has a huge heart. He is loved and appreciated as the newest member of our home, just the way he is.

No dog can ever replace our Bella. We proudly have her picture on our altar honoring her on “El dia de los Muertos”. We remember her and celebrate her beauty and contribution to our family. One of my students gave us a painting of Bella which sits in our living room.

And we look forward to the many years we will have with Benito and Harley. Always thankful for the time we are given and making the best of everything.

We love you our beautiful Bella. May you rest in peace.