Bella and Walter's passing.
 

My partner Walter passed away suddenly on August 23 from a liver ailment. It's been rough on me and Bella. I'm going to share something I posted on Facebook:

A Dog Knows

Bella cried last night. She always sleeps in her crate on the night stand where she can watch Walter and I sleeping. Last night, I put her in her crate on the night stand and lay down in my regular spot on the far side of the bed. (Walter always slept close to Bella.) Bella started whining, so I came closer and lay down in Walter's spot. She kept whining and wouldn't stop. I told her, "You miss your other daddy, don't you." I took her out of her crate and she pinned me down and licked my face. I let her do that for a while, and put her back in her crate. More whining. I finally placed her crate on the bed close to my chest and she settled down. Bella misses her daddy.

Walter spent the most time with Bella because he was with her during the day while I was at work, but he was a strict disciplinarian. He loved her very much, but he expected her to be calm and well-behaved. When I got home from work, she knew she could get away with murder, and she'd run around the house, jump up on me, and start licking. She's such a funny dog.

As I was driving back to Urbana from Chicago yesterday, I thought about how would I be able to take care of Bella if I have to be at work and no one would be home to be with Bella. I thought I would have to find her a new home. When I got to the vet's office to pick up Bella, I told them that I was going to have to give up Bella and needed help in finding her a home. A vet tech offered to take Bella because her retired parents are home during the day. I made arrangements to drop off Bella Sunday night so I could have two more days with Bella.

Since then, I've spoken with others and everyone has told me, "Don't give Bella away! You'll be lonely without her, and you can't be sure she will be well taken care of." Cooler heads have prevailed, and I've talked with a neighbor who offered to do doggy day care for her. Another offered to do so as well, so it's nice to have a backup. Bella is very attached to Walter and me, so it may take a while for her adjust, but she's the only companion I've got and she's comforting. You know the old proverb, "It takes a village to raise a Yorkie."

Ohhh Phil, I am so sorry to read this,my deepest condolences for the passing of Walter.

I am so happy your FB friends convinced you to keep Bella. From my own personal experience, dogs do grieve the loss of a fur buddy and a human, Bella may not have survived losing Walter then you and having to adjust to new people. You may not have survived emotionally losing both Walter then lil Bella. She needs you now as much as you need her. Keeping you and sweet Bella in my prayers (((hugs))). :love:

Thank you. I was a wreck on the drive back from Chicago. I had forgotten that Bella needs me as much as I need her.

I forgot to post a photo of Walter with Bella.

Walter Lee Fields, Jr. April 23, 1970 - August 23, 2018. Rest In Peace.

Beautiful photo.

So sorry for your and Bella’s loss. So glad to hear you can keep Bella with you. Seem like Bella would be too devastated to lose you too.

Thanks, that is so sweet! :love:

I’m so very sorry. I will keep you and Bella in my prayers.

One more photo of Walter and baby Bella the day we brought her home.

Phil,

I'm so very sorry to learn of your loss. Thank you for what I'm sure is the love care you showed for Walter--know you made the difference. Katy, my late senior sweetie helped me greatly through more than one close loss. I pray you and Bella find comfort.

Words are not enough. --KatysMom

P.S. Thank you for sharing the photos. So tender.

Walter and Bella
 

Oh no! I am so very sorry to hear the terribly sad news of the passing of your partner. How devastating that was, plus you having to even consider rehoming Bella too. I can’t imagine how you feel going through all this mental trauma. Thank God that you have decided to work out something so you can keep your sweet friend Bella.
On a personal note, I am older with health issues and am in constant fear that if I go before my beloved dog, no one will love and care for him as I do. So I understand how difficult it was for you to decide what you did. You will work it out somehow and will never regret keeping Bella.
My deepest condolences to you in your loss of your best friend and partner and I pray for peace and healing to come to you.
Thinking of you and Bella and only wishing you love and peace.
Please give Bella a big hug and a treat from me.
So very sorry.

Thank you so much! I just gave Bella an extra belly rub and a treat :).

Thank you for your kind words. People say that Walter settled down after we got together. All I know is that our relationship was very special. Thank you for helping me process this.

Thanks Taylor!

I am saddened to hear of this terrible news. You and Bella need each other more than ever now. So many hugs to you. :love:

Thanks! I'm getting ready to take Bella to her first neighborhood daycare session while I go to work. Wish her luck!

Oh Phil :cry::unlove:.

I am so incredibly sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved. I can't imagine the myriad of feelings and crippling grief you're enduring right now. My heart breaks for you and Bella.

I'm SO relieved to hear you didn't let go of your Bella :love:. You belong to each other, and to Walter. You need each other now more than ever. You will help each other through this time, through your grief - even if/when it seems there is no discernible end to that pit of grief.

I totally agree with your friends who said no one will take care of Bella as you do. Look at the huge lengths you went to just to be sure her teeth issue was fixed *properly* - going to major specialists etcetera. Remember that few people really go to such lengths to care for their dogs' health issues. It's a small % - every vet I know confirms that.

Keep her close and just give her lots of love - and know she'll adjust. If you feel she needs something to help her right now - consider a Thundershirt (ebay - great prices), a DAP collar, a warming pad on Walter's side of the bed.

Please know I'll be thinking of you - and sending lots of hugs and love your way :love:. If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate for a second.

:thumbup:

Thank you so much, Ann! Bella's day care session this morning was a resounding success. I called the neighbor who was looking after her at 10 this morning, and she was so happy about how sweet and playful Bella was. I think it's actually going to work out.

I'm in the middle of making arrangements to go to Memphis for the funeral, so I probably won't be on Yorkietalk very much for a while, but thank you for thinking of us!

I gave Bella a bath today all by myself for the first time. (Walter always used to bathe her and I was his assistant, handing him shampoo, conditioner, etc., and I also blow dried her.) It went pretty well. I forgot to clean out her eye boogers, and I wasn't as thorough as Walter was on her face, but I think I did a better job on her body, and the whole process seemed less traumatic. After she finishes drying off, I'll take a closer look at those eye boogers...

Bella was on my mind all day, so happy to hear she did good. She must have been so happy to see you when you picked her up.
For the eye boogers, I use wet cotton balls to soften the boogers, then comb them out. Although a sad trip, have a safe one (((hugs)))

She was happy to see me, but she was also happy with all the excitement at the neighbor's house. I had the cotton balls and some saline eye wash all ready to go. I just forgot to use them :D. Looking at her now, though, she doesn't have any eye boogers. I'm surprised, because it's been a month since she was last bathed.

Congrats on your successful salon duty. I am sure she was glad to have that done and all the attention. I use a drop of baby tearless shampoo on a washcloth for the eyes and do it before I do the rest of the body. I do use doggie shampoo and conditioner for that though.
Also a light fingernail job helps to dislodge the more sticky bits.
Overall Bella does seem to be adapting to her new life, and I pray that you are able to as well. It is hard and we are all thinking of you and wishing you peace.

So sorry for your loss.

Good for you!

I comb Dutch's face every morning and admit to a certain satisfaction every time I clear one of those eye buggers. ;)

Thinking of you as you and Bella create a new trail and your trip to Memphis💜.

My deepest condolences on the passing of your partner Walter. Glad you had an easy go of bathing Bella. Have a safe travel to Memphis. :love:

So sorry to hear of your loss. Bella needs you and you need her. Glad you didn't decide to rehome.