The City, The Dogs & Me

The Bay Area was busy. So many people…so many dogs….so many personalities walk past me every single day.

I had opinions.

Some dogs were fine. Some needed warnings. Some needed to stay very far away. I communicated all of this clearly, just in case anyone was confused.

The new city didn’t scare me. It challenged me.

I learned which paths I liked. Which times were quieter. Which corners belonged to me. I still barked — because of course that’s what I did best — but I also learned restraint… Well at times!

I didn’t need to prove myself anymore. I knew who I was.

I was older, yes. But I was still the same Bella. Still alert. Still protective. Still absolutely convinced that the world worked better when I kept an eye on it.

This city became ours. Not because it was perfect. But because we found our place in it.

And wherever we walked together — I belonged.