Thanks Fi for posting this faded glory themed pic to #LuxvilleTales. Here is your story. With love to you and Bella from Luxville.

This tale has now been recorded. Let me read it to you at Madame Yum’s Insta TV @madameyum or scroll to the bottom to watch me read it for you.

Angels in Black.

We were texting, late in the evening. I was watching a film while my newly adopted little black puppy Betty dozed on my lap.

“You’ll find fur kids are the best people.”

Fi was sunk into her couch after a day of babysitting, while beautiful old Bella lay snoring at her feet.

“My heart hurts that Bella will be leaving soon.”

Bella was the kind of tired that comes from a full life of love, service and cheating death a few times. Fi adopted Bella on what she called their ‘gotcha day’. Over their years together Fi trained Bella to be with people having a hard time.

“It was in her already though, such wise eyes.”

Bella survived a number of serious health issues herself but was always ready to help. She was a pet therapy dog in her youth and middle age. Visiting aged care, schools and hospitals to share her smiles, her singing and a few dances as well.

So much love to give, and so many tears of humans to carry. She made people feel at home and accepted the millions of cuddles with joy. So many friends she made, Fi says she missed those visits when they had to stop.

A black Labrador, Bella was affectionate with anyone and everything that crossed her path. To Rhupi, the rabbit, she would bow. For already dead mice found in the backyard, she would gently place at the back door for Fi to find. She would offer ‘Mr Ted’, her favourite toy, as a reward for a lovely dinner. And she knew wet grass was no place for a girl like her.

Lately though she was taking herself to bed earlier, found it hard to lift her head and had a weariness that was hard for her to shake. The Vet had tried everything. Fi knew what was not very far ahead, to save Bella from the pain.

So each day Fi and Bella would walk, more slowly, and revisit the places they loved. They shared sunsets at the lake, bow tie dinners at home, and they visited their closest friends to say goodbye.

Bella was Fi’s whole world. Her love and luck, her entertainment and happiness, her buddy, her friend, her heart. Bella knew.

“I suspect she just keeps going for me.”

And while writing this Betty rests her head on my feet under the dining room table. I hope we are as brave as Fi and Bella, should the time come.

LUXVILLE TALES story by Erin McCuskey | image by Fi.

The #LuxvilleTales are generated from reader contributed images. Post me a single image themed ‘faded glory’ and I will write you a short tale. Tag it #Luxville & #LuxvilleTales and tag me too! Love Madame Yum