I was almost 7 years old, fresh off of the great New York City family vacation where we saw all the beautiful Christmas decorations, activities and snow, and I was dreaming about experiencing it again as I waited for my favorite winter holiday in the beloved Austin, Texas.
It was two days before Christmas when my parents surprised my sister and I with a trip to pick up a little puppy. With no idea of what this dog looked like, our family got in the car and began driving to another city.
After three hours of family road tripping, we reached the countryside of Texas: filled with farmlands, hayfields and empty, bumpy roads. We arrive at a little red house with a huge dog cage holding a big old yellow Labrador. We were greeted by a nice family, who welcomed us inside their home. There she was. A tiny, chubby, big eyed white baby Labrador who was calm, yet excited to meet her new family.
After saying our thank yous and good byes, we carried her back into the car and placed her in a tiny box filled with blankets in the middle seat for my sister and I to watch and pet for three hours. Our family decided to name this princess Bella, as we watched her fall asleep on our dads shoulder during the last minutes of the car ride.
Three hours felt like five minutes, and we arrived back home and immediately took Bella in our backyard to play. I was filled with joy as I played with my new friend, who I consider my sister. My mom took pictures of us together on the patio, as well as some solo shots of our beautiful puppy as she stood there in a little pink collar. Days passed, her first Christmas passed, and we were already into the well known puppy stages where
she tore up everything in sight. Shoes, flip- flops, plastic cups, hats, anything but her toys. Although, Bella never got in trouble.
Now, Bella is almost ten years old. She is a big old yellow Labrador who became a new shade from all her memories in the sunshine. I love to swim with her in the summer, take her on walks, and run around the house with her. Although Bella has had a few ear problems from her swimming addiction, I love her just the same.
Bella always makes me sad when I think about her at school, or when we drop her off at a dog hotel when we travel. But, when I get home to see her I explode with happiness. Bella has been with me all the time. When I cry about homework, when I am eating my meals and she sits next to me begging for a bite every time, when I’m watching TV, even disturbing shows like Breaking Bad, and doing anything else at my house. Bella will forever be my Best Friend, and I am so grateful to have grown up with her.
