Dear Onyx Bell,

Almost 22 years ago, You came into this world with your siblings, innocent and pure, only to face the worst case of abuse and tragedy imaginable. A litter of 5 with only You and your brother “Lucky Bear” to survive. We had the privilege of being the forever family that was thought of to help you and your brother. Brought to us at only 3weeks old, we had no idea what would happen. Due to the mutilation and abuse you both faced in the first few weeks of life, the vet said that both of your odds of survival were very doubtful at this point. The next few weeks became feeding, bathing, pottying and cuddle routines and around the clock constant care. Your tails had been cut off so far up into your spinal cords it was affecting your mobility and pottying. It came to a point the vet said if you didn’t have some movement within the next 24 hours you wouldn’t survive. We were never so happy to be pottied on in our lives. That’s the moment we knew you were a fighter to the end and boy was that an understatement for your life. A few weeks later, we were given the heartbreaking news that Lucky was going to have to have his front leg amputated all the way up into his shoulder in order to have a fighting chance. You whimpered in his absence. The moment we walked back into the door with him, you curled up next to him and became his protector and the 2 of you formed an inseparable bond to where we couldn’t separate you from the other for anything. As the years passed the memories the 2 of you created with the family surpassed being able to pin point which were our favorites. The biggest memory for us all is that you both were born June 20, 2004, those first few tragic weeks led you into our family and while caring for you both I was also at the end of my pregnancy with AJ, born on August 17. As a puppy, you became his dog by your choice. You laid with him, watched over him, snuggled with him, alerted us of every little thing where he was concerned. You weren’t a dog, you were his protector and sister and most of all you were family. As the years passed, each brought more memories and another year older, we watched you surpass every obstacle, health issue or whatever was thrown at you. Everytime they said you wouldn’t make it for whatever the reason, you managed to beat the odds stacked against you. Everyone joked it was a game to you at that point. The fierce fight you had in your soul was something that was truly indescribable and you held on to it all the way to the end on your terms. When Lucky passed away, Jan01,2019, we were told you wouldn’t be far behind and to be prepared. Once again over 7 years later, you surpassed those odds on your terms. Although it was a big adjustment for you and you would look for him everywhere, you would turn to us for comfort. As a senior dog, you played and cuddled with us like you were a puppy all over again. Savanah got you a big ole cuddle scrunchie caterpillar toy and it became your favorite thing to lay and play with until your last breath, so only befitting it was cremated with you. The last few years the age crept up and you began to slow down but never stopped fighting to love, play and be with your family. There were days we questioned what was the best option for you. In the end, it always came back to you having fought your entire life, every odd and obstacle thrown at you, so it was your choice when to cross the rainbow bridge. We questioned what were you holding on for “Old Bird” and everytime we thought we had it figured out, once again you surprised us. We honestly think you were trying to make it until your 22nd birthday or at least until your birth month of June. Although, heartbreaking to witness, the fact you waited until you had your entire family with you on May 30, before crossing over that bridge, showed us that your love and devotion surpassed anything a pet was possible of, you were family. We were your family, your mom & Papi, your brother’s and sister’s, We were what you found a fight for your entire life. We want you to know that we received your final message and that we thank you for every memory and moment we have had the pleasure to share with you over the last 22 years. "Old Bird, You will never be forgotten, missed more than anyone could ever imagine and will be loved forever and always my dear!

Love Forever & Always,

Mom, Papi, AJ, And the rest of your Forever Family