Belle had been waiting for a very long time to hear the sound of the garage door, the symbol of Home.  During the last two weeks of our stay in Bay St. Louis, she seemed to have given up on Garage Door.  Today, however, despite the many miles of rain that greeted our entry into Washington, we were all delighted to see Garage Door in Lynnwood, Washington.

 

Immediately, when  Donald pressed The Button, Belle sat up in her seat, ears perked, remembering some long ago comfort.  She bounded out of the car and into her familiar area inside the house.  Tail wagging, ears up, eyes bright ... she ran everywhere, inside and out, inspecting at great length her familiar territory.

 

It was only a few hours later, after we dense humans had stopped to think and to observe, that we realized Belle was so excited about Garage Door day because she assumed that Trooper would be hiding somewhere in house or yard.  She had looked everywhere for him, multiple times, just believing that he was there, at home, where he should be.  

 

To get those deep brown eyes directed at you with the question:  What did you do with my brother?  was almost too much.  Indeed, little Belle started her grieving cycle today; those that think dogs to be without feeling or complex emotional capability are entirely ... and absolutely ... nuts.