When you arrive unannounced there’s no hiding the truth. And when Bella’s Family opened the door today I saw everything I needed to see. I saw LOVE!
Bugsy was the first to greet me, Bella right behind. The pink mark under Bella’s right eye is where the bullet entered, damaging her face, skull and knocking out most of the teeth on her right side.
They both smelled Scooby on my pants and the treats in my pocket. Bugsy was in front of Bella, he protects her that way. He wanted to be sure I knew that he was there and to not hurt her.
Oh, one more thing. He kept jumping up and licking my face. And when he wasn’t, Bella was. Somehow they knew I was ok.
The Christmas tree was in the corner and the stockings hung on the wall. One for each of them. This modest apartment home was definitely filled with LOVE.
After a few minutes of the Bella and Bugsy Show that I could have watched for hours, I presented them with the gift cards. They were shocked. Their first words were thank you, followed by that we didn’t need to. I told them that we wanted to.
They read the holiday cards that were included, handwritten cards thanking them for being there for Bella.
I then presented them with some cash and they looked at each other like something was wrong, their surprise was evident. Again they said thank you, that we didn’t need to. Again I told them we wanted to.
And then we also surprised the boys with new winter jackets, compliments of someone who wanted to help keep them warm.
I have the greatest picture of them, arms around each other, smiling big in their new coats. For their privacy I will not share. You can still see it, I know you can.
Then came the BIG ONE, the $3,000 check payable to the credit card company. They could not speak. Their watery eyes and broken voices told me the tears were flowing on the inside.
They were for me too.
They surrounded me in a group hug; even Bella and Bugsy were in on it.
These are good people. They had no idea I was coming by, I caught them unprepared. When I arrived Mom was sitting in a chair knitting a blanket for the dogs. It was beautiful. Big and thick and lush, a deep warm gray that will keep Bella and Bugsy cozy.
I didn’t stay long; the emotion ran too high. And I wanted to let them get back to their Sunday, to have some time to enjoy what just happened.
But it gets better. I don’t know how it could, but it did.
Because in keeping with the Spirit of Goodness that this family practices, when I got ready to leave Mom presented me with the cutest little loaf of fresh homemade bread. Just Because.
Bella. Bugsy. Bread.
Can you Believe?
And this is why we Pongo.
Thank you for being there with us too.
Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. We Are Helpers. thepongofund.org
#givingback #charity #christmas #dog #pitbull #bella #pongo #Portland