WWQP Bulletin Board Chat

CANINE BELLES

ROSEY, your name for AnnieBelle brought back fond memories for me. Back when my DD#2 was high chair age and # was still a busy pre schooler, DH was in need of a new bird dog as his long time huntin' buddy was retired. Just prior to Christmas when he'd been working out of town and was scheduled to get home for the holidays I went shopping. Read that reading the ads in the local shopper rag. Lots of dogs for sale but the Springer/Brittany cross litter was available for (hold your breath) $7 each pup. I went to the house and surveyed the mass of squirming pups and chose one because she had freckles on her nose which was a requirement for me. Al was tickled and he named her Belle. She was a fine bird dog, guardian of the children and a lap dog when she got the chance. She kept me company while I sorted socks and teased the girls just as a big brother would. She'd steal a toy and if the kid didn't notice she'd parade in front of her until she did. The kid would chase her and I ended up dealing with a screaming kid and having to drag Belle, mouth full of toy, out from under my bed. I could almost see a grin on her face. Whereupon Belle would shake herself off and with tail wagging furiously run off to find some other way to get the attention of everyone in the house. She never damaged a toy except for eating some crayons and some pegs from the kids' peg board game. That latter item was the dumbest toy my not so dear MIL gave them. She was a master at giving them inappropriate toys. I was glad Belle succeeded in destroying it. When my beloved Belle was 10 years old she contracted heart worms. There was no preventive in those days nor was there an effective treatment so we had to say goodbye to her when the cardiac symptoms were making her miserable. I'm a bit wet in the eye as I write this.

One more Belle memory - when DD#2 was in the 4th grade and showing some signs of depression that had me concerned (but couldn't get the attention of the pediatrician or DH) I discovered that Belle was sneaking upstairs from her bed and sleeping with DD. One day DD told me that she loved Belle and she told her all her secrets. I assured DD that I told Belle my secrets too and that was no lie.

Jane

posted by Jane in NC @ 8:46 AM