My Dog Belle

Belle is a lively, attentive and affectionate 11 year old Corgi/Chihuahua mix who joined my household in April 2006. Her person had become quite ill and Belle was pushed aside by the woman's family; they were going to take her to a county shelter when a friend of mine intervened. Belle was supposed to be here temporarily as a foster dog, but while people loved her appearance and temperament, no one wanted an older dog (come on folks, we're all going to be old someday!!). She'd been a housedog all her life, and it was amazing how quickly she caught on to ranch life! She had an ecstatic look on her face the first time she rolled in horse poo! It was as if she was saying, "I've dreamed of this my entire life!" She has fit in well, has learned that it's okay to herd goats but not cats, loves to ride in the pickup, and keeps the big dogs in line.

While I've tuned in more to her Corgi traits than to her Chihuahua attributes, I've realized that she's demonstrated the "best of both worlds": she's very loyal, protective, intuitive, playful, affectionate and athletic.

A recent experience is an example of how deep our relationships with these creatures can become - just by being together and caring for each other. It was time to say, "Until we meet again" to one of my old cashmere goats . . . As the veterinarian prepared the injection, I cradled Tuxedo's head in my arms. Belle - who had previously shown no interest in goats other than to show off her Corgi herding skills - licked his face, then mine. She did this several times. As Tuxedo passed, she lay at his head with her head in between her paws . . .

She and the other dogs (Tristen, Banzai and Pippin) kept a closer eye on me for a few days, hanging closer as I went through the initial stages of letting go. The hardest part was listening to Tuxedo's pals, Snowball and Taffy that first night, and a lump still catches in my throat when I call to Tuxedo at feeding time (as I had for 14 years . . . hard habit to break.) The dogs are always there for comfort.