Editor's note: Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Russ Olsen submitted the following article to the Bugle following the passing of Lady Bell, his family's King Charles cavalier spaniel and the little mascot at ELES.
By Russ Olsen
BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The Olsens' little dog, Lady Bell, died early Monday morning (Feb. 13). She was a beautiful white and ruby King Charles cavalier spaniel. Our daughter, Serenity, bought her with money she earned helping build a large patio one hot summer. Lady became her best buddy and protector.
Lady was very loving to everyone. If a baby pulled her hair, she would just lick them until they let go. She made us laugh with her loud snoring. She was a friendly little floor-angel who would settle at our feet wherever we went. One evening, just as we were going to bed, her barks alerted us that a fire was burning in our laundry room. The flames were up to the ceiling, so we were very grateful for her warning.
Lady was trained as a therapy dog. For four years, she went to school with "Mr. Olsen" for her very important work: taking care of the children. She became the Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School little mascot. If a child needed a friend, he or she could take Lady for a walk around the playground. Not only would Lady give unconditional acceptance, but other students would come over to pet her and talk with her and her student friend. When a new student came, she would help introduce and welcome them. She was well-known to our special needs children. They loved to take her for walks and brush her hair. The children could always find her under Mr. Olsen's desk. Occasionally, she would slip away to drop in on another class to visit the children. The teacher would tell the children, "Lady can stay, if you continue working." If Lady stayed home, the children would always ask where she was.
Even when Lady Bell's health was failing, she would always wait by the door, early in the morning, to let us know she needed to get to school. The children were waiting. Thank you, Lady Bell, for bringing us a touch of happiness ... and your love.
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