“Bella”

Named for the actress Isabella Rosalini, Bella was the most talkative dog that we’ve ever had.

That is not to say that she was loud - because she was not. She just talked. That was true when she was a young puppy and it was true to her final day with us. If there was something going on in her head, then it was coming out of her mouth. We decided that her voice was best compared to someone practicing the saxophone.

When Bella was in a light mood and playing, she sounded most like a Baritone Saxophone, think Gerry Mulligan playing “Body and Soul.” When she was settling down in her bed for the night, she sounded more like Stan Getz playing a lovely Bossa Nova tune. But when she was impatient, it was all Coltrane on the Saprono Sax blowing “In a Sentimental Mood.” Yes, she must have been a jazz musician in a previous life.

One of Bella’s secret joys was to be picked up. She feigned indifference while she was being held, but when she got put down she would wag her tail and come back asking for a little more “up time.”

Bella had two unmitigated joys:

The first was running. When it was time to run she was like a different dog, practically coming out of her skin in anticipation. She ran with intensity and was competitive with the other dogs. She needed to be muzzled on group sprints because she was just that intense.

Bella’s second great love was the outdoors. Regardless of what the weather was doing (in a most un-whippet-like manner), Bella liked to be outside. She was happily independent enough to entertain herself outside alone. She just liked the stimulation of the smells and movement to be had outside. She chased floating seeds, bugs, birds, etc. If we had a dog door, she would have been in and out a hundred times a day.

Bella also was a creature of habit. While all dogs thrive on routine, Bella was adamant about keeping hers. When riding in the car, if we strayed from a usual course, or were held up in traffic, she was sure to notice and begin talking about it. Likewise, when it was time for bed, she was right there, nudging and urging us that it was time to go upstairs - regardless of whether it was a weekend or holiday and we might want to indulge and stay up for a bit longer.

Overall, Bella was a gentle, easy going, independent dog that preferred a quiet and steady existence (except for the sound of her own voice) with lots of time outside.