Life With Ella.

What an honor and a privilege it is to have a dog. Truly. As I sit here with my sweet Ella, knowing her final days with us on Earth are ahead, I can’t help but reflect on the amazing life she lived and how much better my life has been since the day we took her in.

So let me take you back to spring 2014. I was 25 and living with my sister and brother-in-law (Jenn & Nick) in Coopersville (Michigan). Jenn and I had just lost our dad in December 2013, and honestly, we were unwell. Jenn came across a Facebook post that the family three houses down was trying to rehome their dog. Ella was the spitting image of our family dog, Dusty, who we lost in 2012 after 16 years, so it was a no-brainer that we needed to adopt this dog. An impulse decision? Yes. Do we regret it? Absolutely not.

Ella was three years old when she came to live with us. It was hard for her at first. She knew she wasn’t far from her original home, and there were a few times she got out and ran back down the street. Also tried to literally run away. It was also clear that she was left outside a lot. She wasn’t super cuddly, and it took time to adjust. Around that same time, James and I started dating, and although they took to each other almost immediately, that didn’t stop her from chewing his favorite sandals… She was stubborn and sassy. She was everything. We had no idea what life had in store for us with this sweet girl.

A year later, Jenn and Nick were about to become new parents, so James and I decided it was time to get our own place together. Jenn offered to have us take Ella, but I wanted her to keep her and try to make it work with the baby, because Nick also had a special connection to Ella. James and I would dog-sit Ella here and there over the summer, and then in fall 2015, when James went out of town for a few days, I asked Jenn if I could have Ella stay with me because I didn’t want to be alone. She said yes, and well….the rest is history. No, I didn’t steal Ella, but I told Jenn we’d gladly take her if that helped make life a little easier at home since she now had an infant to care for. My only ask was that if we needed a dog sitter, they’d watch her for us. She, of course, said yes. Yet, another impulse decision that I do not regret.

We loved apartment life with Ella. We were tucked back into the woods, and we’d take her on the hiking trails all the time. She loved being off leash and chasing the occasional deer. When we moved into our first home, Ella was thrilled to have a backyard she could roam. The only downside was that she barked…a lot. At like everything. Good thing she’s cute! Ella came on so many adventures with us when we lived in Michigan, including Sleeping Bear Dunes, the U.P., tailgating at Michigan State (Go Green!), and so much more. We loved taking her everywhere with us.

Then came summer 2019, when I made yet another impulse decision. Adopting Copper. I know Ella was displeased at first, but they became relatively fast friends. Well, she tolerated him, if anything. She was about eight years old then, so she wasn’t a young pup, but Copper definitely kept her on her toes! I have video proof that Ella could hold her own when they played. That winter we moved to Calgary, and we immediately started climbing mountains. My girl LOVED the mountain snow! Honestly, she loved all weather. She just loved being outside. It was her happy place. I’m forever grateful for our experiences in the Canadian Rockies with Ella.

When Mia arrived, Ella became her protector. The bond that Mia and Ella (and Copper) created was truly something special. Even though she was a senior dog, she didn’t mind having a toddler nearby (to lick in the face), and Mia’s relationship with our dogs has evolved into a beautiful love and respect for all animals.

When we got to Phoenix, Ella was definitely starting to slow down, but she was still always up for adventure. Camping, hiking, swimming in lakes and rivers — it was amazing to see her in her element. She truly became one with nature, allowing all sorts of critters to hang out with her in the backyard. We were certain that if she ran away, she’d find a coyote pack and become its leader. We joked that we moved her to her retirement home in Arizona, but it was her destiny to retire in Missouri. I think that was a better choice for her, anyways. She was back in the land of green trees, water, and (some) snow.

Ella’s health really started to decline in the spring of 2026, and we did everything we could to make sure she was comfortable and happy. There’s nothing harder than having to make decisions for someone who can’t tell you how they’re feeling. I would have given anything to know what she was thinking and feeling over these last few months. I only wanted what was best for her. She gave us so much, and I would do anything for her.

Ella lived 15 years, 12.5 of those years with us. We gave her the best life, and our lives are so much better off having her in them. I am so thankful for her, and I will miss her forever.

I told her on our final creek trip to the state park by our house that I hope that her afterlife is full of water and woods. She deserves it.

I love you sweet Ella.