We lost our lovely Greyhound-Lab mix, Buffy, in 2009. We had been dogless for several years but sort of wishing for a dog.
We have 4 grandchildren. One of them, Sonia, the oldest (who is 10) has loved animals, especially dogs, her whole life. Unfortunately, both her parents worked full-time so they didn't have time for a dog. She visits us every summer, and one summer she said, "Grampy, you need a dog."
We went to our local PetSmart which was having a rescue adoption event and they lined up the kennels outside the store. Walking across the parking lot, I spotted a sweet-faced little black dog, she was looking directly at me and I walked toward her as if toward a magnet. We looked at some other dogs to be fair but kept coming back to her. She was lively but also gentle, with a soft tongue and plenty of licks. Just right for playing with children.
We brought her home for the required one week trial, (hah, what trial? we were already in love) and then adopted her.
We asked the three oldest grandchildren what her name should be. Each one came up with a different name. Sonia came up with Bella, her brother; Mocha, and their cousin (who was three) said it should be Treebranch. So she was named Bella Mocha Treebranch.
The first time Sonia met Bella it was love at first sight. Since then, every time Sonia comes to visit, they play together and do everything together. She spoils Bella a lot too.
