My heart is breaking, RIP Belle 11/10/96-4/18/11
 

My heart is breaking today - one of my best friends of my whole life has left me behind. Even though she has been slowing failing this last year I never wanted to be without her. Little 3 ½ lb Belle came into my life as a 6 week old puppy ~ MY first ever dog. I had grown up with outside dogs and had working farm dogs as an adult but wanted a Yorkie of my own after meeting one at a friend’s house. Belle-Belle was so tiny as a puppy - she only weighed 19 oz and got her name from the character in “Beauty and the Beast” and because she had to wear a bell around her neck as a puppy so we would know where she was at all times. I brought her home at 6 weeks old ~ much too early ~ but with the breeder telling me it was ok - I didn’t know any better. My two wonderful vets helped me keep her in the world at this early age and one of them helped me gently release her from this world this afternoon.
Belle had luxating patellas and collapsing trachea but was very healthy until this past year. She gradually became hard of hearing, had trouble seeing & eating, slept more and more but was still enjoying life until lately. Belle could have died at 6 weeks old when I bought her home way too early & could have died a couple of other times but she was so tough. Unfortunately for all of us the passage of time is tougher and time can’t be beat forever.
Belle “grew up” with my kids who were 2 & 5 when I brought her home. She learned so quickly - especially how to get what she wanted. Belle learned to sit under my daughter’s chair at mealtimes to catch any dropped food & my daughter learned to purposefully drop tidbits for Belle to enjoy eating with us.
Belle never had any puppies (she was too small) but she taught many Yorkie puppies (and one Boxer) over the years to listen to doggy body language - especially “time to leave me alone” but she was all noise and never hurt a puppy ~ she even had the Boxer fooled. She never “loved” the puppies much because they tried to play too rough with her but she loved when people came to visit. I think she truly believed each person was there to see & pet her only!! She would do a little dance and stamp her tiny feet to say “look at me” when people didn’t pay attention to her. She loved just climbing into people’s laps - she never knew a stranger & loved everyone. When she didn’t get off the couch the last time we had visitors I knew our time together was short.
Belle loved to “GO” and ride in the car, she absolutely loved riding in my lap & was the only one to be allowed to do it. We took our last car ride together this afternoon to my vet’s office where they were very good to the both of us & she passed over to the bridge as I held her. I felt the last beat of her heart as she gently went to sleep and left this world.
Ms. Belle never had puppies but left her own “legacy” behind. Because of her I am a Yorkie breeder today. She was sent home way too early & had both LP & CT. Seeing her deal with these issues made me want to breed healthier Yorkies & to educate families about the correct care of Yorkies. Belle had a wonderful, loving, outgoing personality and a beautiful silky blue coat. These things made her the perfect Best Friend and the ultimate Yorkie for me. Because of her example of what a Yorkie looks like, what their temperament should be & how her health should have been I have had a “blue print” to strive toward when breeding.
Belle taught many people that “frou-frou” dogs are “real dogs” & perfect companions. My husband became her favorite “pillow” after we married and he loved her as much as I do. We are all sad at her passing but know she is no longer in pain and is happy and free.
Our life is better ~ richer even, for having lived with this small Yorkie with the huge personality for 15 years. I will miss hearing her bark at “intruders” turning into our driveway, miss her begging for the last bite of ice cream (which she always got), miss her being the “Queen” at the top of the couch, miss her “telling off” huge dogs, miss her laying warm and small on my lap or in my bed and especially miss her telling me how much she loved me with her warm brown eyes. While we were waiting in the vet’s this afternoon Belle gave me kiss after kiss and gazed into my eyes. I truly believe she was saying “goodbye” and “thank you”.
Belle - you saw me through some difficult times over the years and it was my privilege to help you through this last difficult time in your life. Thank you for sharing your life and your spirit with all of us. I will love you and miss you forever.
RIP: Belle
11/10/96 - 4/18/11

I'm sorry for your loss,I know losing your best friend is one of the most painful feelings in the world!I hope all is well with you.RIP Belle.

Im so very sorry for your loss of sweet belle. my thoughts and prayers are with you :heart to

My heart is breaking, too. I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful little girl. Your beautiful tribute to such a special and precious little girl made me cry. Belle's legacy will always be felt, and so will her love. May the light from Belle always shine bright in your heart. I hope her precious memories bring you joy rather than the sadness you are feeling right now.

What a beautiful story, she was a truly beautiful little girl. I'm so sorry about your loss, Georgia passed suddenly last Monday and my heart is hurting so much. Her and Georgia are playing and having a grand ole time I'm sure :)

I'm sobbing like a baby. So so sorry for your loss. RIP precious belle.

So sorry for your loss...I can tell how much you meant to each other...RIP BELLE

I am so sorry my heart is breaking for you..it is so hard to let one go RIP little one

What a beautiful tribute to your friend Belle. She may not have had puppies but she will leave a legacy to your breeding program. We teach them commands and tricks they teach us unconditional love and how to be a better person. My condolences to you on your great loss. Nothing will ever heal the whole that opened in your heart the day you brought her home. But as times passes the pain will fade but never the wonderful memories. Those you will cherish for the rest of your life. She will be there to greet you on the other side of the bridge. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Rest in peace little Belle. You will be missed

I am so sorry that your baby is now gone and left you behind. But that is what they do - they come and light up our lives, stay with us as long as they possibly can and leave us for a better place - all to show us that it is not the length of time on this earth that matters but how to come through whatever happens, never give up and live every moment as if there is a liver treat waiting. R.I.P., sweet Belle.

I am so sorry for the loss of Belle. What a loving tribute to a loving companion.

I am heartbroken for you. Your loving tribute to Belle is beautiful, you both were fortunate to have this many wonderful years together.

Rest in peace sweet Belle.

I am so sorry for your loss :( I can tell that she meant a lot to you...

RIP Belle

You were lucky to have each other. She loved you as much as you loved her. I know how much you\'ll miss her. RIP Belle.

! am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your Belle.Belle sounds like she was a very special girl. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace little Belle.

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I know that little Belle\'s legacy will live on through those who loved her so much. God bless and comfort you and your family. RIP sweet little Belle.

I am so very sorry for your loss of your Sweet Belle. Thanks for sharing her story. Belle was loved very much.
She now waits at the Rainbow Bridge watching over you. Rest in Peace Belle.

I\'m so very sorry. Rest in Peace, sweet Belle.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you must be hurting. You will have have such wonderful memories to cherish. R.I.P precious Belle.

So sorry to hear of your loss.:(

I am so sorry for your loss. RIP sweet little Belle.

I am welling up with tears. Your tribute to Belle was so moving. She definitely loved you as much as you loved her. I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace sweet Belle.

Ohhhhhh hun, I know just what you are going through. We lost our Rhodesian Ridgeback Kiah, a week ago today. Definitely one of the hardest things I have personally had to go through. I cried reading your post! I can just feel how much love you had for your baby, just through your writing!

I pray that you can find some peace and comfort! I will be praying for you and your family as you go through this horrible time!!! Know that I am with you!

Rest in peace Belle!

I am so sorry you are hurting so bad. I am sitting here crying just reading your tribute to little Belle. I know you loved her so much and she loved you. The years are never long enough with them are they? RIP sweet, precious baby.

I am so very very sorry for your loss.............My baby was 14yrs old when i had to let him go....that was two months ago........it hurts something awful....but what a joy they are! ITS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!RIP sweet baby!!!!!!!! boops mommy

Your tribute to Belle is so loving. I know you will always cherish the time you had together. Rest in peace sweet girl, Belle.

So very sorry to hear about your Belle, such sweet memories to share with all of us!

am so sorry. no words can take the pain away but i\'m here for you with love and hugs and just keep hanging onto the memories and happy years.