Unexpected Love

Have you ever met someone who is not an animal lover? I have; she is my mom. For all I can remember my mom has never had any interest in animals. All my life she wouldnt be amused by any cute pet. I have always been so curious as to why she has been like this. She expalined to me when she was a little girl, she had a pet rabbit who she adored so much. It was white and fluffly just like a cloud. That was the pet of her dreams. One day she came home excited to play with her rabbit only to find it on the floor. It looked like it was sleeping but when she tried waking it up it didnt budge. Ever since her bunny passes, she has not had any interest or connections to animals. Until Bella came.

I was the opposite of my mom. All I wanted was an animal, especially a puppy. But sadly, I am allergic to animals so either way my mom was not having it. My grandma had planned otherwise. For my 10th birthday, my grandma who lives in Florida called me to show me her gift over the phone. I was confused as to why she could not have just mailed it to me. When I looked, I saw the tiniest cutest white puppy ever. I have never been so shocked I started crying happy tears. My mom was shocked and told my grandma I could have it if it stayed with her. She had surprised me by getting me a puppy. I was in shock for days. I named her Bella.

Every time we went to Florida, I was so excited to be with my dog. She was all I would think about. My mom, on the other hand, could not care less. I believe Bella knows that and would purposely want to be by her side. My mom would get annoyed if Bella was constantly following her. When she sat down to eat Bella would follow. If she were to go to the living room Bella would also go. My mom got used to Bella following her to these places all the time. She eventually started to give Bella some pieces of food here and there but that was it. She wouldnt pet her or try to hold her. That would be too much.

Bella is known for eating fast. Shes such a tiny dog but she ate as if she was a german shepherd. Since shes son tiny her food also had to be tiny because she would choke. One day my mom decided to give Bella some pieces of her food as she was eating. My mom gave Bella a piece of her food and a few moments later she started to cough. The coughing kept on going and thats when we realized it was not a regular cough it sounded like choking. My mom got so scared she went on the floor and held Bella. Her face pale as a ghost and worried for Bella. When Bella stopped choking, my mom repeatedly kept telling her “I'm so sorry Bella” while petting her. She was genuinely scared and worried about her. My mom felt so guilty knowing she was the reason for her choking.

Watching my mom care for Bella made me realize that deep down she still cares. My mom showed me no matter how much you do not like something or hate it, people always change and grow. I would have never expected my mom to care about an animal let alone one that was not hers. Knowing her all my life I have never seen her care for an animal or show any emotions. Bella changed my perspective on her and helped me see something I thought was impossible. Anytime we have a conversation about animals I mention this. My mom always laughs and admits how she felt in that moment. It was something unforgettable and shocking for me and my family to witness.