Today I lost the dog that has been my heart and soul for the past eight years. I rescued Bella, the most beautiful little Cavalier King Charles (both inside and out), from a busy roadside where she had been abandoned and left for dead. Before Bella came into my life, she had been severely abused so much so that she was scared of all people, had never been outdoors and was terrified of virtually everything. She had been exploited on a puppy farm for her young, while she lived in an awful condition, was locked up in the dark and was forced to eat faeces to survive. When I rescued her, she was so saturated in urine, so that her beautiful ginger and white fur looked yellow.

After offering Bella the unconditional love and patience she had never known, she began to blossom in my care. The poor little agoraphobic dog that she once was became a playful and outgoing little angel who loved long country walks off her leash and day trips to the beach. She who could trust no human being before became a sociable and loving companion who people couldn't help but warm to and who was loved by all who met her. She was the greatest source of love, comfort, joy and delight most of all to myself, who, as a long term sufferer of anxiety and depression, had never known such loyalty and devotion from a human being, much less a dog.

Bella and I enjoyed eight glorious years together, until, on New Year's Day, she began bleeding extremely heavily and unexpectedly from her rear end. The bleeding continued for two days without relief, at which point we sought the care of a veterinarian. Bella was still as affectionate and tender as ever, up until the last moment. After a thorough examination by the vet, I was told that a tumour had overtaken her bladder so aggressively that it had consumed the organ completely. Bella's condition was inoperable - short of allowing her to bleed to death in immense pain and suffering, there was nothing they could do. So, I was forced to make the difficult but necessary decision to put my baby permanently sleep and to say goodbye to the angel who had graced me eight years previously on a busy main road (highway) during my final journey back home after graduating from University.

Bella, you brought nothing but joy and love into my life and I will miss you, remember you always and be eternally grateful for the contribution you made to my life.

I am in pieces over my loss today, and, if anybody could reach into their hearts just long enough to send me a word of comfort, positivity or inspiration through the mail on the occasion of my baby's passing, I would be so extremely grateful. Please help me grieve the most special dog I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Thank you.

Edit: My location is Wales, UK.