I have developed a routine that has become part of my day. Every night around dusk I quietly whisper, "C'mon Bella, let's go for a walk" and I go out the front door and down the steps as if she was right beside me. Just like we'd do when we were headed to her corner by the barn to retrieve tennis balls. I walk along the driveway and picture her excitedly walking along with her ball in her mouth, head and tail held high. Often she'd drop down to the willow tree and turn to see if I'd follow. Usually I didn't and she'd take the hint, run back to the driveway and head for the barn.
Once I arrive at her corner I envision where she'd be standing, looking at me, waiting for me to draw up beside her. My eyes move from the corner fence post and scan the grassy area where we'd play. I close my eyes and imagine seeing her running after the ball as she'd done thopusands of times before.
After a few minutes I say aloud, "C'mon girl, let's go to the house." and then "Let's get a treat". Those words were all it took to end the retrieving session and set her in motion for home. I then imagine her walking beside me back to the house.
The pain of losing her is subsiding, though I still miss her dearly and wish that I had done more with her and that I had more pictures and video to look at.
