Here's a wonderful letter from Serch Dog BELLA and her Mom, our Fire & Rescue buddies from California...
UpDated Mach, 2007 - Sadly Announcing the Passing to the Rainbow Bridge
of Beloved Search & Rescue Dog Bella ...
see the last posts dated March, 2007.
Rest In Peace, Bella ~ You shift has ended ... Job Very Well Done!
"To Everyone,
Hello all, we hope you are having a good Holiday season.
First of all thanks again to everyone for your support and donations to help Bella with her fight with cancer. She is doing GREAT. She became a grandmother again in Oct. 3 girls and 2 boys. Three pups were donated to the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to become future "Bellas." Her grandson that I donated last year will be coming out of his training in May 2002, and he will become my next disaster dog. It will take about 6 months to a year to certify him. Once he is certified, I will retire Bella from disaster. Bella should still do well in wilderness and cadaver search for a while longer, but she is slowing down in disaster search.
Well, you all should be very proud of Bella and yourselves! Your support brought Bella back on all 4 paws. In August Bella found the remains of a young Moorpark lady, here in Simi Valley, and Bella and I responded with our Los Angeles Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to the New York Trade Centers
disaster. We left on Sept. 11th and came back on Sept. 21st. No live people were found by dogs that helped in the deployment, however Bella located multiple bodies in the rubble. At least she brought closure to those poor families.
We have been so popular since we have been back. Going to many PR events, school talks, NEWS and newspaper stories, Animal Planet and even been of Family Feud. Family Feud was a lot of fun. It was the Crime fighters vs. the
Firefighters and all the monies went to the NY City fund. She has been so requested, I call myself her agent and Royal leash holder!
Look for us in the New Years Rose Parade, we will be on the last float entry. It has the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam. I don't think Bella will be doing the "wave", but I will.
Take care everyone,
BELLA and Deresa"
Way to Go, Bella!
By the way, Deresa is a Career Firefighter as well as being Bella's Mom and Rescue Handler. "TALENT" seems to run in the Family!
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