Shortly after returning from our honeymoon, my partner and I decided to adopt a puppy. She wasn’t a newborn but just about a year old. Bella was the perfect addition for a couple eager to nurture something. She could perform tricks, was house-trained, and was undeniably adorable. While we never figured out her exact breed, she was absolutely the right fit for us.
Bella and I had a harmonious relationship, but my partner was clearly her favorite. From the moment he walked through the door, I became invisible. I was okay with that; Bella and I had a pact. She would keep our home free of any pesky bugs, and I would give her head pats and let her curl up at the foot of our bed. She enriched our lives for years, ultimately becoming a beloved companion to our two little ones. Three years ago, on a bright December day, we had to say goodbye, laying her to rest beneath her favorite tree, right by the bird feeder she loved.
When I reminisce about Bella now that she’s gone, I sometimes paint her as the perfect pet. But don’t be fooled by my nostalgia. Bella could be wild, especially in her younger days when her energy was through the roof. She was exhausting!
When my eldest child was around eighteen months, my partner left for military training for eight months. During that time, my child and I stayed with my best friend’s family, awaiting our new home upon his return. Bella was not thrilled with this arrangement; without her favorite person, she dismissed me as a suitable substitute. Those months felt like Bella’s personal rumspringa, where all rules were tossed aside as she thrived in her newfound freedom.
One delightful summer evening, I decided to treat Bella to a drive to my parents’ house. She adored car rides, and I loved her, despite her antics. What could possibly go wrong?
As we prepared to leave, I looked the part of a capable young mom. Adorable toddler on my hip. Diaper bag slung over my shoulder. My loyal dog trotting beside me. Leash? Not necessary; we were merely walking to the car, where Bella would jump into the passenger seat as usual. I felt empowered, humming to myself, “I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman.”
I would have been just fine—if only, as I opened the car door, Bella had not spotted a neighbor walking his dogs far down the street. In an instant, she dashed away, barking like crazy.
The neighbor was walking a gigantic pit bull and a fluffy cocker spaniel. For a split second, I felt panic; the cocker might be a fair match, but the pit bull could easily overpower Bella. Yet, instead of reacting, the pit bull and the cocker spaniel just sat calmly beside their owner, staring at Bella as if she were an alien. That’s what well-trained dogs do, I suppose. Mine, however, was a free spirit.
Realizing I needed to chase after my runaway dog, I had a dilemma: I was still holding my baby. So, like any resourceful mom would do, I unceremoniously placed him in his car seat without buckling him and took off after Bella. He stood up, watching as I sprinted down the street in my Old Navy flip flops, a sight to behold considering I hadn’t run since high school gym class.
Wearing a long t-shirt over leggings—which might have been suitable running attire if they hadn’t been maternity leftovers—I was caught off guard when my pants began to slip down, dragging my underwear along with them.
So, let’s recap:
- A short-legged, brindle mutt is racing down the street, barking wildly.
- I, a not-so-svelte woman, am running after her, frantically holding up my pants with one hand, diaper bag still slung over my shoulder, and using the other hand to wave and yell, “She’s friendly! She got away from me! I’m so sorry! Bella! Come back! Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!!!”
As if the scene wasn’t chaotic enough, my partner decided to call me at that moment. My diaper bag erupted with his personalized ringtone—an incredibly silly reggae jingle announcing, “It’s your husband, ooh yeah. Yes, your husband is trying to get through.”
But amidst the madness, there was a tiny silver lining. After months of FaceTimes and phone calls accompanied by that ridiculous ringtone, Bella had associated it with the one person she felt she ought to obey. So, after a torturous chase that felt like an eternity, Bella halted, turned around, and casually trotted back to the car, as if nothing had happened.
The neighbor, still a few houses away, was trying not to laugh as he escorted his well-behaved dogs home. I quickly buckled my baby, hopped in the car, and made a hasty exit to avoid any awkward encounters. Just when I thought I could escape, I realized I had left my car keys inside.
So much for being a capable adult. I walked back inside with my head hanging low, just in time to bump into the neighbor again, mumbling another apology before returning my partner’s call to let him know that his beloved dog had truly embarrassed me.
And yes, this all happened on August 26th—National Dog Day. Bella wasn’t perfect, but boy, did she know how to celebrate!
For More Information
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Summary:
This humorous tale recounts a chaotic evening when Jamie, a young mom, experienced the ultimate embarrassment thanks to her mischievous dog Bella. After her partner left for military training, Bella took advantage of her newfound freedom, leading to a comical chase that left Jamie scrambling—pants falling and all. Despite the chaos, Bella’s antics brought a smile, even on National Dog Day.
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