Hey all!

I have been avoiding the board for the past several weeks as I've had to deal with a change in my life that has made it difficult for me to come here......Tonight I decided to start to move on and regroup(rebuild??)So here I am.

I no longer have my beloved Bella. While she is alive and well, she is hundreds of miles away from me and I miss her so much every day that it has been very difficult.I still expect her to be staring at my face every am, she always seemed to know the second I opened my eyes! I expect to see her by my feet at dinner( hoping the baby would drop some food!)or carrying a shoe around when I come inside so she has something in her mouth when she says hello and therefore doesn't choose to bite appendages in her excitement!!LOL
I Love that dog so much, that I no longer have her.
I donated her to a police dept in Ohio, she has a handler that absolutely adores her and she will now be able to really go out and work every day, which is what Bella truly loves to do.
Now I know that she will be fulfilled in a way that I could never give her, so I am soo happy for her. But I am so sad for me, as I will NEVER have a dog like her again! Her drives and her spirit and intelligence never failed to amaze me, and I learned more from her than she could ever know....
My heart is grieving for the loss of her presence in my life, but I try to counter that w/ my pride in her accomplishments and knowing that I can keep in touch w/ her long distance.
I guess this is kinda wierd, because I realize most people post here after the death of a dog, but really, I feel almost as if that HAS happened, and I miss her so much.......
SO, I will continue to hang around the board, and I do still have my house dog Nero, But life has gotten alot duller for me....maybe a new pup someday down the road?????...... Thanks for letting me ramble.....

Jeannette, I would be interested in knowing you're reasons for donating Bella to the police dept? It's truely an act of unselfishness and courage letting you're dog go to what could be many dangerous encounters.

How old was Bella and what kind of training did she have? Was she a leerburg dog? I'd be interested in her pedigree. Who evaluated her for this type of work.

I wish I could say I could do the same but I don't think I'm as strong as you are.

Glenn

Well, lots of questions,but let's see....
No, she is not a Leerburg dog.I bought her from a breeder near my home, she is German/Czech show/working lines.
Her training has been a combination of sorts. We started out in OB at 6 mos old, then I stopped training to have a baby. When I resumed training it was on my own for a while, then I met a fantastic trainer from Holland that was instrumental in helping me to train her for Personal protection, for which she is perfect.
I decided to donate her because she is such an amazing dog, and I truly was drawn into advanced training w/ her because of her intense temperment and love of work. I realized that with me she could never reach her full potential and that she would always be denied the chance to blossom fully.( I have 4 young children, I home school them, and I work part time, plus I run my household daily matters!! Oh yeah, and my 89 yr. old Grandmother lives w/ me too!!)
So I decided if the right situation could be found,that I would let her go.
All seems to have worked out for the best, and just today I got an e mail full of photos of her!!
Bella had just turned 3 and I have a big void due to her absence, but now I will try to satisfy myself with continued upodates on her progress!!
Hope this helps answer your questions. I have posted parts of her pedigree on old discussions maybe under Czech shepherds....

Jeannette;

While it won't stop you from missing her, I can assure you that a dog such as you describe will absolutely love having a job. They also totally love the person who takes them to do the work. They get so attuned that they will "gear up" when the phone rings at 3:30AM for a callout, or when they see you come out in a work uniform. A good one not only wants and loves to work...he/she NEEDS to work...it is in the blood. Having a real job makes her one of the lucky ones thanks to you.

She will always remember you, however, should you visit, and will go to you if you call, although a few years from now she may take a moment or two to recall who you are. Some here may think you are looney, but I am not one of them. Sometimes doing right by your dog is a harder decision than doing nothing.

WOW, Mike, you sound as if you actually knew her!! She is exactly as you described!!!

I just got some photos of her emailed to methat I would love to share, but I don't know enough about computers to know how to set up a link like I see others do here!!

Thanks for your support of my decision. It is helpful to me, believe me! I saw her in the photos and I was sooo proud and happy for her, and she appears to be smiling! Her handler told me that she has her own car, he is just her chauffer(sp?)!! Now that's instant love, if you ask me!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I can't wait until I can go and visit her. Hopefully in the spring......

Jeannette,
I know it hurts you terribly but what a kind and great dog owner are! You did what was the best interest for your animal.I admire you.

You are to be commended on what you have done. I understand the void all to well.If you need a shoulder to cry on or some one to just to listen or vent I am here.

Emma

hey we homeschool all our kids also <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Emma!! All of the kind words are helping me, and so is the updates from Bella's partner on her AMAZING progress, she is just so awesome!! I'm truly proud of her.

PS, home schooling rules!! Best way to go if at all possible,IMO!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Jeanette,

I just want to say that what you did was a very corageous thing to do. I know that is very devastating for you! I just want you to know that I feel your pain. I lost a dog a couple of years ago to death. It was a very hard decision to make, but I knew it was the right.

Somehow, when do the best for someone else,we get rewarded in some way. Sometimes, we don't even realize that is what happened when we do.

Sounds like the dog is happy, and I know you will find peace with yourself for your unselfish act.
We need more people in this world like you!

I am sorry about your sadness but you have truely given someone a great gift. Think of the lives you could be saving. Including on officer. My brither is a police officer and I know that they rely greatly on their canine partners. Where in Ohio did she go if you dont mind me asking?

She is outside of Columbus, and is certifying on Halloween! And thanks , by now I am feeling sooo much better, and her handler really loves her too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />