Age: 14 years
Gender: Female
Breed: Golden Retriever Blend
Status: Angel
Received Wings: 8/21/2025
Sadly, we lost Bella to cancer on August 21, 2025. Here is a tribute to her beautiful life sent to us by her loving mom.
“Bella, beautiful Bella, had an enviably positive outlook on just about everything. Because she 
had spent the first 13 years of her life with one family alongside her beloved brother Beau, I thought she would be anxious and fearful after being surrendered to GRRMF.
“Quite the contrary. For the ride home from the vet, she had been placed on a blanket on the floor. But no sooner had I fastened my seat belt and started the car than she was sitting on the back seat as if arthritis didn’t exist! She then slid as easily into her new home as if she were simply returning from a trip. That was Bella.
“Ever the lady, she ignored all improper behavior or lapses in manners. If she didn’t like the food, she wouldn’t eat it, turning her paws down at her prescription kidney diet, kibble and canned food almost immediately. My dogs loved her. Even the cats, who greeted every new foster with ‘cat-itude’ and loud hisses, merely looked at her and walked away. In the brief time Bella was with us, she ‘helped’ in the garden after dinner by joining her doggy brothers in squirrel, lizard and bunny watching and lizard chasing.
“One of my fondest memories of Bella was how keenly she watched me handing out fresh fruit to my dogs as treats every day – from oranges, pears and kiwis to berries of every kind. I enjoyed seeing her ‘think’ about it, then try and actually like a raspberry, which quickly became her own favorite berry treat.
“A gregarious golden, she greeted people and pets alike with a wide, warm smile and a gaily wagging tail, making fast friends of the neighbors on the walks that she loved. On July 4th, Bella celebrated her 14th birthday with lip-smacking delight (she didn’t even have to wear a pointy hat). We treated her to a birthday dinner of shredded chicken and mashed sweet potatoes over her favorite canned food, followed by frozen pup yogurt for dessert. Afterwards, we visited the park for her photo shoot — so many new smells and things to check out – and everyone who saw her smiled back at her.
“It’s said that ‘dogs only hurt us once: the day they leave.’ And this certainly applied to Bella. 
She was a gift and an inspiration and a lesson in leading a good life, no matter your species.
“Godspeed, Bella Amore. You were and are the best girl ever.
“Your loving mom, Karen.”
Aptly named Bella, Italian for pretty, Bella, in the words of her adoring foster mom is “the Betty
White of dogs. No one can believe her actual age.”
July 4th was cause for a double celebration this year. Why? Because always-appreciative Bella celebrated her 14th birthday with lip-smacking delight! She was royally treated to a birthday dinner of shredded chicken and mashed sweet potatoes over her favorite canned food, followed by frozen pup yogurt for dessert.
With her enviable zest for life, despite her cancer diagnosis, Bella remains the undisputed queen of cordiality and sociability. Always happily smiling and gaily wagging her tail, she still relishes meeting and greeting new people and other dogs, making them her new best friends. Never far from her doggy brothers who are twice her size, she still loves hanging out with them and “helping” in the yard when they do, a.k.a. squirrel, lizard and bunny watching.
Still famously fond of going for walks and car rides, one of her favorite 
pastimes is still napping with her black Lab brother. And although her hearing is slightly diminished, Bella can still hear a treat bag rattling from two rooms away!
Because of the love and dedication of our foster families and the donations of our supporters, who generously help the GRRMF Sanctuary program, we are able to assist beautiful dogs, like Bella, to live out their days in comfort and love.
