Bella Black is living and loving the high life in the mountains with her new mom, Janey, and they are both so very thrilled to have found each other. Bella Black is a bellisima four(ish)-year-old Lab girl with a sleek black coat, a heart full of Lab love, and a taste for adventure; and she is the perfect new work and play companion for mom, as well as a very respectful “big” sister to all of her new kitty siblings.
Bella’s new mom sent us an update on sweet Bella: A year ago, my husband passed away after a long illness. Almost six months to the day, my lab mix died after a surgery for a rare cancer. He was my constant support and companion during my husband’s illness and needless to say I was devastated. A few months later, I began my search for a dog and it seemed that a rescue lab would be a good fit. My only request was that he/she be good with cats (my two older cats have always lived with dogs and are very confident around them).
On March 1, I had the pleasure of meeting Bella Black. She had no known experience with cats but her foster mom said she showed no prey drive. She came home with me that afternoon and was the perfect passenger in my car. Introductions to the kitties were uneventful, though she couldn’t quite understand why they wouldn’t play with her.
Three days a week she’s in doggie day-care while I’m at work. The other days have been spent hiking in and around Vail. She easily learned to ignore back-country skiers, snowmobiles, mountain bikers and others doing strange things in the back country. Soon we’ll get to ride the Vail Mountain gondola. We are still working on the concept of looking at wildlife, not chasing them (especially squirrels).
Within a few days of her adoption she developed a mild cough. X-rays, ultrasound, and labs were negative, however imagine my surprise to learn that she’s allergic to cats! We are not yet going to put her on any medication. The vet hopes she may become less reactive and the cough has slowly diminished.
Bella is a great ambassador for the work that “Safe Harbor” does. I’ve trusted her loose in my house since day one, her inside manners are great and she loves all people and dogs that she meets. It will be a while before she is allowed off leash but we are working on her recall and leash manners.
I often ask myself how did anyone let Bella go? She’s been a terrific addition to my household and the kitties give her four (or eight) paws up. We’re very lucky to have her in our lives!