24/02/2026
Bella 🖤
13.06.18 - 22.02.26
Bella was a little white - with a sprinkle of tan - Cavapoo with the shortest legs, so short that no matter the weather, her undercarriage always took on the mud. You could wipe her down as best you liked, but Bella wore her adventures home like a badge of honour.
She was clever. Protective. Affectionate. A live wire wrapped in curls.
It all started in a classic sliding doors moment; during a badminton match, Derek got speaking to a lady who mentioned her sister was looking for a new dog walker. He passed on my details, and although it was beyond my ideal travelling distance, I felt the least I could do was meet them.
And then I met Bella.
The cutest, curliest, most affectionate little dog. And behind her, — Cat and Ian — with, you know.. that 'salt of the earth' vibe. And so, with that, one year old Bella became the second Walkidoggi girl.
Our little pack ventured further with spring-time strolls through Pollok Park, picnics and end-of-term school photos in Bellahouston Park and trips to Rouken Glen.
One sunny day in Pollok Park, the unthinkable happened. Bella was suddenly attacked by a rescue greyhound who may have seen this little white, excited soul and momentarily reverted back to his racing days.
While I restrained him, Bella fled.
In shear panic, I boarded the other dogs and drove straight to Bella’s house.
And there she was.
Only, I mistook her for a white teddy sitting in the doorway.
She was shaken. A wee bit bloodied. Brave. Safe.
She soon bounced back and out again with the gang. No hesitation from anyone.
Bella began coming for daycare, as she needed company. Before dawn, I recall running up to the top of the hill to meet Cat, fresh off the bus with Bella and then Cat would walk to the local school she teaches at.
Bella was full of spark, but she protected us from any perceived strange men. There was, however, a definite frisson when it came to Derek. She adored him. On the days he was home she was there by his side or squeezed on his lap. When he'd join our walks, Bella insisted he wear shorts so she could sneak kisses on his deliciously salty calves.
“I don’t want licked, Bella!” would echo across the braes, — to absolutely no avail.
The L plates came off 🚘 just in time as soon came the news that Bella was to become a big sister to a human! A baby girl. A couple of years later, a little human brother followed.
Following some time off, assisting with maternity duties, Bella returned each time, refreshed and ready to go. During pickup i’d sometimes get little human visitors to the doggy nursery and loved to hear stories of the two babies, funny family moments, and photos of holidays where Bella was fully emerced. They never left her side, knowing she simply couldn't bear it.
Bringing Bella to us was so so much more than just a wee dog walk.
Cat and I both experienced a similar kind of loss, relatively close to each other. Collecting Bella daily, during these times, formed a gentle kinship.
Over the years, even before my girls started at the school, there was always a word of encouragement and solid advice. And a constant support throughout. Always a smile. Always the optimist.
Sadly, over time, we noticed Bella begin to slow down and lose weight. It became apparent she had a health issue making her extremely intolerant to most foods, and she needed building up too.
Gradually she was able to gain some weight and find more energy, but she no longer bounced up, unassisted, to her favourite crate. .
When Derek joined us on walks, she still insisted he wore shorts, and somehow always found the energy to keep up and kiss his legs.
“I don’t want licked, Bella!” would once again echo across the braes.
But mostly, she really did struggle and so we reduced the duration of her walks, while still making sure she had her comfy crate and always on the journey with us.
At WD HQ, Bella made a nest on the couch with blankets and simply chill.
Always content.
And so she remained, right up until last Friday, after a lovely, leisurely walk in Linn Park with Elsie, Georgie, Ozzy, Harlie, and Buddy. And home with us for a snooze.
But she deteriorated over the weekend, suddenly.
It was clear, there and then, that her fight was coming to an end. Beautiful Bella had no more left to give.
She showed us what a brave, intelligent girl she was.
She was one of the wonderful dogs who filled our, then, one-hamster-home, with puppies. And for our girls, then aged 8 and 10, a dream to experience the joy, the excitement and responsibly of it all!
Thank you, Bella, for coming into our lives — personally and professionally.
We wuv woo 🤍 and miss woo.
Sleep well darling girl x
