I had Belle, a boxer, since she was three weeks old. She was almost dead when we got her, but we nursed her back to health. Belle was a very hyper dog. She loved going on walks around the block, going swimming at the lake, hanging her head out the window when we would go for rides. When Belle and I would go walking, I didn't even have to have her on a leash, she would just walk right beside me. I knew I could talk to her about anything, cuz she would just sit there and wag her tail. That let me know that she was listening. And when I was done talking, she would lick my hand like she was letting me know that it would be alright. And I knew it would as long as I had her there with me. I also had a male boxer, Rusty, who Belle loved so much. He passed away two weeks after Belle did. Belle and Rusty had three litters of puppies. Belle took very good care of her babies. She loved them with every bit of love that she had and I could tell by the way she acted with them. I had Belle for 6 years, and October of 2007, she started to get big in the stomach. We took her to the doctor and they told us that she had heartworms and congestive heart failure. They said that they could give her something to kill the baby heartworms, but there was nothing they could do about the adult ones. So we started giving her the medicine. About two weeks later, Thursday Ocober 18, 2007, I was at school one day and my mom came and got me out early. She was crying so I asked her what was wrong. All she said was Belle and I knew. I ran out of the school house crying. She told me that when she came home from the doctor, she found Belle in the back yard. As soon as I got home I went out to Belle and fell beside her. I sat there for about thirty minutes petting her and crying, praying to God that this wasn't happening. Then my dad came back there and said it was time to bury her. I went inside and got pictures, her squeaky football, a little chich that made cherping noises, and a deer antler that she love to carry around in her mouth. We put all that stuff in a box. My dad had made a box to put her in and when we put her in the box and layed it in the hole, we put all her favorite stuff on top of it. My mom and dad said something to her and then walked away so I could talk to her before we buried her. I told her I loved her and I always will. That she was my best friend and I will never forget her. Then I looked up and asked God to please look out for her and take good care of her because I know that there is a place for all animals to go after passing. I walked back to the house with her collar in my hand. I go out there everyday and talk to her just like I used to. Even though it's not the same as having her there, I know she is still listening. Her collar is laying on the table beside my bed and every night I kiss it and pray to God that he is taking care of her. Belle, I love you more than anything in this world and I always will. It's hard trying to get through this life without you, but I know you are looking down on me and watching over me. I know you are up there with Rusty and you and him are playing around just like yall used to do. I love you babygirl and nothing will ever change that no matter what. Love your best friend and mama, Ashleigh.