It's been a sad last 24 hours here at Porters. We're a family in sooooo many ways – figuratively, literally, passionately, emotionally, etc – and we just lost one of our dear members.

You might raise an eyebrow and chuckle when I say it was a 15 pound, runt-of-the-litter pug named Bella, but I tell you that little dog meant a lot to a lot of people around here...including yours truly.




I got so attached to that little thing I have to admit that that I've used this cutest and most hilarious photo of Bella as my online avatar / persona for several years now. Ultimately, though, Bella belonged to my mom...and my mom is even more devastated than I am.

But the story of Bella goes back even before my mom.

Rewind to Curt Fry – aka Big C – who is an icon in our surf / snow / skate industry and the current sales manager for Von Zipper. Here's an awesome photo for those in the know of (from left to right) the Heckler, Johan Malkowski, and Big C at Johan's now infamous 40th Birthday Bash at Java Sushi in Truckee.

Well Big C was a longtime Northern California sales rep in the 90's and the first part of this decade. Big C had had a pug prior to Bella so he knew what he was getting into, but from the start there were issues with Bella. Besides being the runt, she also had hip and respiratory issues. A few years into Bella’s life with the Fry household, Big C went through a divorce. The ex couldn’t take her into her new living arrangements, so Big C had to leave her for stretches at his house and have people check on her or just take her on the sales rep road. Here's a pic of Bella in her younger years.

Well in January of 2004 Big C came up to Tahoe to do a quick loop before heading down to the Action Sports Retailer (ASR) convention in San Diego and then straight into the SnowSports Industries America’s (SIA) trade show in then Las Vegas. He was staying at my house as usual back then when he still made loops through the area, and we also were going to hit up our local Java Sushi for some fish and sakebombs. At first we thought we'd just leave Bella inside my house while my two big malamutes kicked it out on the deck, but then Big C said that from time to time when he left her alone that she'd get "mad" with him and pee on the rug and take a dump on his pillow.

So we called up my mom and asked if she'd watch Bella for the evening while two bachelors went and had fun. The fun carried on well into the night so we called and asked if she could keep her all night. The following morning Big C was a real trooper getting up hung-over to go see some accounts in Reno, and the pug-setting favor continued. Later that day Big C asked me if my mom wouldn't mind watching her for the next couple of weeks while he was on the road and at two trade shows....

And yep you might've guessed it by now, but that puglet never left Tahoe again :)

Bella was a stubborn bitch at times. She would sneeze and blow snot bubbles at you. She snored like a lumberjack. But she had the most spunk and personality you could ever want out of a lap dog. I grew up with "big" dogs – German Shepherds, Labs, Goldens, etc – and always used to laugh at little runts like Bella.





That dog more than just changed my opinion – it melted my heart and leaves me now with a broken one. At the same time, though, I really can only put on a big smile with tears rolling down my face and chuckle at some of the photos and video that I dug up of her over the years.

Rest in peace there Bella...we’ll all truly miss you

Labels: dogs, porterstahoe.com, pugs

Comments:

 jhall530
RIP Piglet you'll be missed

# : November 11, 2009 8:34 AM

 

 Nose Dradamous
Bella may you find bottomless plates of Taco Bell egg burritos in mutt heaven. Good knowing you. Bitch.

# : November 11, 2009 9:09 AM

 

 Anonymous
Stay strong and think happy thoughts Porters crew. RIP Miss Bella

# : November 11, 2009 10:29 AM

 

 Nima
I hope you and your mum are doing well. Be strong, Chappy. RIP little Bella.

# : November 11, 2009 12:01 PM

 

 kasey
RIP...my sweet piggy Bella! I will miss your snorting and sighing when I did not share my lunch with you.

# : November 11, 2009 3:47 PM

 

 Nicky B
The Gremlin will be missed greatly. I know she will be remembered forever.

# : November 11, 2009 3:51 PM

 

 Macy Dippert
Bella was such a sweetheart. My deepest sympathy to the Porters Family.

# : November 11, 2009 7:10 PM

 

 krystina
We will miss Bella!

love,
monte's girls

# : November 11, 2009 4:51 PM

 

 Nathan
RIP bearcat bella.

# : November 18, 2009 5:33 PM

 

 krystina
we will miss bella!

love monte's girls

# : November 11, 2009 4:50 PM

 

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