This letter is from our mommy.
Since 2004, I have owned a wonderful company called Little Paris Noel. My Yorkshire terriers Paris Noel, Bella LaRue, Madeline Monet, Lili Patou and Eiffel Bleu are famous pup models in the animal industry. They model for many well-known manufacturing companies. You can find them on websites, product packaging, in print ads and magazines. Modern Dog Magazine had this to say about Paris and Bella, "Two Yorkshire Terriers named Paris Noel and Bella LaRue are being hailed as the Gisele Bunschen and Heidi Klum of the pet fashion world" and in an instant Bella’s life changed forever...
In October of 2008, I was away one weekend with my mother at Disneyland. My husband was home watching our adorable little girls. Late that evening when my Mother and I arrived home from our trip, my husband told me Bella fell off the bed. He just thought she was excited I was home, even though this has never happened before. I said hello to each of my girls and gave them all kisses and we went to sleep.
The next morning my mother, my husband and I were sitting down enjoying a nice breakfast together. When I asked the girls if they wanted egg, everyone took a bite, except Bella. I said “Bella, egg.” I repeated myself and that was when I noticed Bella seemed to be confused. She was trying to come to me, but it was as if she couldn’t see me. I tried calling her again, and she circled trying to find me. My heart dropped and I got up and called the veterinarian. He told me to come in right away. I excused myself and grabbed Bella and off we went. After Bella’s first examination, he still wasn’t 100% sure what her diagnosis was. Then after some test results came back, she was diagnosed with a disease called Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis, also known as GME. If that wasn’t hard enough to stomach, he then said, “Sadly there is no cure.” My heart broke and I remember feeling numb. My little girl who was only three was terminally ill.
For the next year and a half, my husband and I cared for her in our own special, loving way. We would carry her up and down the stairs. Place her outside when she had to go potty and carry her back in. She would circle, over and over, which we believe helped her with her balance. Over time her legs became bowed and her weight increased due to the necessary daily doses of prednisone she had to ingest. Her tiny head tilted towards the left and she was losing her vision. She cleverly made her way along the walls, using them as a guide to maneuver her way around the house.
The evenings were always “our” special time together. I would pick her up in my arms, so she was facing the sky and we would go outside in our backyard. Oh how she loved the moon and stars! I would sing to her and kiss her gently. Once we would find the moon, I would say “Bella Luna, Bella Luna, the moon, the moon! God left the night light on for you!” She would get so excited and give me kisses. She was such a happy little girl.
Then one day, I noticed how difficult it was getting for Bella to walk to her food dish. She could only walk a couple feet at a time and she would have to stop and rest. It was then I realized that although I loved her more then words can express, it was time to let her go. It was time to set her free, because even though she was alive, she was no longer living the quality of life she deserved.
I chose February 11, 2010, to be the day we were going to send her tiny soul to heaven. Our morning started with making Bella a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon, and cheese. It was followed by a piece of roast beef from daddy, and pieces of iced animal cookies. She was so happy. We wanted to make sure her belly was full for her journey. We then went upstairs and fixed her up in a beautiful dress in shades of lavender, green and purple. It was very special and was given to her from her Aunt Charisa. I placed a lavender bow in her hair and I believe in my heart she knew what was happening. Then just for me, she lifted her tiny head for what was to be her last photo. I was so proud of her. I hugged her and kissed her gently.
We then went downstairs and I played the song “Butterfly Kisses,” and held her in my arms wrapped in her favorite lavender butterfly baby blanket with her butterfly toy. She always signed her letters to her fans “With butterfly kisses.” It became her symbol. I sang to her and cried and kissed her gently over and over knowing very soon she would be leaving us. When it was time, we had all of her sisters, say “Good-Bye” and they gave her kisses. We walked out the door with my little Bella Boo in my arms and we were on our way to the vets. The Dr. prepared her with special meds to make her comfortable, and it was at 3:44 PM her heart stopped and she passed away in my loving arms, with my husband next to me.
I have always believed things happen for a reason. Bella LaRue was meant to come to our home. No one else would have loved her as I have. Perhaps no one else would have had the patience that I had. I was the mommy she needed until the very end of her life. She lost her life because of this awful disease and I am determined to keep her memory alive. I don’t want to see anyone else go through what we have, and because of this I have started “The Bella LaRue Foundation.” This is my mission of love in Bella’s honor.
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