by Lisa Belletete
Chelsea came to me through my local SPCA's wish list program. She was a purebred Samoyed; I had waited on that list for a full year. When the call came that they had one, I could'nt wait to go see exactly what they had. Imagine my surprise to see this beautiful while lion! She had been fluffed and puffed, and was perfectly white. I was in heaven! I adopted this sweet girl right away and took her home.
Chelsea didn't know how to play or talk when she came to me. I took extra care with her, and taught her how to sit, and be housetrained. She did learn how to play with a ball, and talking was a wonderful thing that she did alot of.
She moved across the country with me this year from NH to MT. We made the trip slowly and she was my primary concern. She did well during the trip, and I was pleased. We moved into what we thought was home, but ended up being temporary. Chelsea protected me when I got raped. She sat with me all night and let me know she was there. I cried in her coat, and she never moved away from me. She saved my life.
We left that place to move in with the dearest friends I have. Chelsea fit in very well with the rest of the dogs. During her time here, we noticed her limping more and more. A shift in body weight would make her snappy at people. I knew last week that something would have to be done, for her sake more than anything. It came to a head yesterday. She bit a member of the house. Today I took her to be put to sleep. I wanted to be the last person she saw and was with, and I was fortunate enough to be able to have that honor. She fell asleep in my arms peacefully.
May you run over Rainbow's Bridge, meeting everyone you knew...may you find new and renewed strength in a body that was giving up on you. May you know that I'll be there to meet you someday. I love you Chelsea.
Chelsea Belletete 7/18/95-11/17/01