I’m actually writing this blog entry on March 13, 2010. I had to back date it to the actual date because it took me this long to actually be able to write it. And even waiting this long I the tears are falling as I type.

Romeo and Bella were my dogs. Of course, they weren’t just dogs they were family. For years I never thought I would ever have kids so I used to call them my kids. Although, even after Ethan was born they were still my children. I love them more than I ever imagined possible. On December 5th, Brian and I went out to the Arup holiday party in Beverly Hills. Ethan was at my aunt and uncle’s house that night. It was the first time the two of us had really been out together since Ethan was born. It had also been a week since I left Arup to go work closer to home and to Ethan’s daycare. We had a great time eating, drinking, and hanging out with all our friends. I had forgotten how much fun Brian and I could have together. It seemed like the best night…until we got home.

We picked Ethan up at about 12:30 a.m. on December 6th and got home at nearly 1:00 a.m. He was asleep in his car seat. We got home and opened the garage door. Usually, the dogs come running in the doggie door from the back yard to greet us (if they aren’t already waiting). Tonight. Nothing. For a moment I thought they might be asleep on the patio waiting for us by the back door. So I called them. Nothing. Brian opened the door from the garage to the side of the house and called them. Nothing.

My next thought was that they had dug their way out. Not likely but they were dachshunds so anything was possible. So I started calling them throughout the neighborhood. Yes, at 1:00 in the morning I walked up and down the street calling “Romeo! Bella!” Nothing. Meanwhile, Brian had gone in the backyard with the flashlight to look for him. As I walked up the driveway to go meet Brian to help him look for them he came walking towards me. He shook his head and hugged me. My heart sank. I asked him what was going on. He didn’t answer. I persisted, “Where are they?” The words I never wanted to hear, “Maureen, they’re gone.” I pulled away and ran to the back yard. Nothing. Brian followed.

That’s when he finally told me that he found blood in the back yard. Coyotes had jumped the 6 foot concrete/block wall and had literally eaten both of my dogs. I had to see for myself (sounds crazy I know) so I grabbed the flashlight and ran out to the backyard. There it was in the back east corner of the yard two pools of blood. I ran in the house screaming and crying. I collapsed on the floor sobbing. My babies were gone. I cried through the entire weekend.

Romeo was my only pet store dog. I had rescued two beagles from a beagle rescue before him. But I wanted a puppy, a baby. One I could raise and teach and love from the beginning. When I saw Romeo in the pet store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach it was love at first sight. We instantly bonded. From that moment on he was my love, my shadow, and my best friend. I got Bella because Romeo seemed like he didn’t fit in too well with the big beagles. Even though he was tough and could keep those big dogs in line I knew he needed a cuddle bug for those long days when I was at work. So I found Bella through a breeder. I had he flown all the way from Utah. The two of them were adorable together. They were my kids. They were my very best friends.

Together, Romeo, Bella and I endured some major life changing events. We all survived my ex-husband walking out on us. We survived selling our home and moving to an 800 square foot apartment and living on our own. We grew closer every time Romeo’s back went out. We shared the pain and our love endured. We built new and special memories with Brian and later Ethan. I think Ethan even misses them now. When they were first gone I could see him looking around the house for them. It broke my heart. I won’t be getting another dog anytime soon. We see coyotes all over the neighborhood and even in the middle of the day. It’s just not safe. And to be quite honest, no one could ever take Romeo and Bella’s place. They were the best dogs ever. They were my best friends.