05/06/2026
Recently, I was talking with a friend about border collies. They go and go until they stop—and when they stop, they’re done. They give you some of the very best days of your life, and one of the hardest. They are incredible animals who give us everything, all the time. We are so lucky to share our lives with them.
A few months ago, we joked that Belle might just live forever. Fifteen or twenty years didn’t seem out of reach. Her attitude was sharp, her mind was strong, and physically she was in incredible condition. I feel very fortunate that she never needed medications or dealt with the chronic issues so many dogs face. She was resilient—better than ever.
Until we got the news. Lymphoma.
At first, it didn’t seem real. She still looked great. She kept doing everything she loved—herding, disc, scent work, shed hunting, swimming, tricks, and playing with her friends. Our lives have always been built around our dogs and their happiness. That’s something I will never regret.
But then we saw it. And just like they said, it came on hard and fast.
She kept going—still doing everything she loved—but you could see it starting to catch up to her.
Then came her last hoorah.
She insisted on coming along, helping with everything. And of course, we let her. We were just happy to see her feeling like herself again. We had some chickens making poor choices, and she stepped in like she always did—calm, confident, and flawless. She told them exactly where to go and how to get there. In that moment, she was exactly who she had always been.
Not a recovery. A send-off.
She gave everything she had, one last time. And when she stopped, it was over.
Not goodbye—just “I’ll see you later.”
I can’t thank Belle enough for the life we shared. The memories, the work, the growth—we truly made our way together. The closing of this chapter is hard to process, even knowing how good it was.
There’s far more good than bad in our story. Always will be. But that doesn’t make this part easy.
So here’s to you, Belle.
Thank you for everything. For the work, the lessons, the partnership, and the friendship. I will miss you more than words can ever say, and I will do my best to honor your legacy every day.
That’ll do, Belle. That’ll do.