Meet Bella

It’s hard to believe I’m writing this for “happy tails”, because it seems like Bella has always been with us!  But if I look back at my calendar, there was a “process”, a very loving, caring process for everyone involved in the adoption process.  We are a very committed Newfoundland family, and it seems like we’re not whole if we don’t have two Newfs in the family.

We moved to Omaha, from St.Louis, in February of 2007, with 2 Newfs; Nana and Tucker.  Tucker had to be put down a month later for terminal kidney dysfunction.  With only one Newf, we were a dysfunctional family and Nana was lonely. Tucker had been our first Newf, an adoptee from the River King Newfoundland Rescue club, which covered the St.Louis area.  We still miss the big lug.

We weren’t looking to “replace” Tucker, but looking for an addition to our family.  I told my adoption Rep (from Heart of America Rescue group), Mary, that we were looking for a “loving” dog. We wanted a dog that loved to be hugged and kissed. They found the “perfect” Newf for our family! We adopted Bella in July 2008.  We had the honor of meeting the foster home mother, Patte (another member of the rescue team) who has more knowledge of Newfoundland’s than “Carter has pills”.   My husband wasn’t surprised when we came home from getting Nana’ hairdo with an addition…to the family!

Bella has that “silent” alarm clock inside her.  She greets me every morning with a cold nose and a face lick.  Nana’s right there next to her for support of her efforts.  This whole morning routine is happening because of our traditional morning stroll around the neighborhood. 

We plan on Bella going through professional training, but so far she has learned all the positive behaviors to make her the wonderful addition to our family that we wanted.  She and Nana are almost inseperatable.  Bella is also a “play” puppy.  She loves her toys.  When Nana wants Bella “to play with her”, Nana will start a low, whispered “whine”.  It doesn’t take Bella long to hear, and off they start with there playful fun.  Bella loves to grab Nana’s collar and lead her around by her collar.  It’s funny to see, but Nana doesn’t hesitate to let Bella know when she’s had enough.   Funny, Tucker would address Nana similarly after Nana bugged him the same way after twenty minutes.

I am very impressed with the love and care that the Heart of America Newfoundland Club showed through the rescue process.  I will be always grateful for their expertise and sharing their love of Newfoundlands with me.  Thank you for finding the perfect Newfoundland for our family.  Like my son said, “I can’t remember what it was like here without Bella.  It seems like she has always been here”.