Ella was Adorable and sweet, playful and strong . A beautiful Basset/Beagle mix, Brindle in color with eyes to match. She was a rescue and we were her 3rd family. Her first family couldn’t keep her because they were moving and the second the women had died and that meant we found our Ella. Ella was 6 months old when we got her. Eddy and I walked into Outdoor world on pet adoption day with no intention of getting a dog. But when he saw her he melted. Her name was Sage then and she was adorable and tiny. Stubborn and sweet. We walked around and he kept looking back at her with eyes full of love. She had Short little legs and floppy cute ears. we knew she had to be ours.
My daughter Juliet named her Ella. We don’t remember why we changed her name just that Sage didn’t seem to fit and the new puppy loved it and responded to it.
I would love to say that after we got Ella everything was perfect but Ella loved to run. And if she caught a scent and could get out the front door she would. There was many times we’d have to chase her with friends and neighbors. She even won a battle with a motorcycle and side car. Coming out with only a scratch and angry parents who didn’t approve of her crossing the street on her own.
This did eventually stop. But you still panicked a little when a child left the door open just a little longer than they should and Ella saw an opportunity but looked at you instead and didn’t take it.
She loved to lick! Everything. Especially your feet. Silly pup would follow you and when you stopped she would curl up next to you and lick your feet Ella was Amazing at cuddling or as my kids might say Bed hog. She’d want to be under the blanket tucked all in snuggled up to you for warmth. This was her and her dads favorite pass time! But she didn’t mind snuggling up to her favorite little human and hogging their bed for the night. If Grandpa came to spend the night he was destined to be fully kissed and snuggled and have his bed hogged it was just what had to be done. This was the rule with Ella whenever a grandparent came to say hello they must be loved by her first when coming in the house.
Oh and we’d all have snoring competitions. She could easily keep up with her mom when it came to this they’d sometimes snore in sync.
Ella was amazing. When the smallest Graves child was born she was so excited to meet him but even better at being gentle to lay next to him. Little E and Ella. Now that was a pair. E could sit on Ella, pull on Ella and lead Ella and she would try her best to be so gentle. She’d never cry out in pain ever. Makayla could play vet while Juliet dressed her up in pearls and Minnie ears and Ella would stay where she was hoping for a chance to give a Graves child a kiss.
When Ella was happy and her tail would show it or should I say whole rear end. When her tail wagged her whole rear end would move and do a little dance. You’d want to be out of the way of her tail because it was so strong it hurt when it hit you. You also could never tell if Ella was sitting. Her short little legs would get in the way of her bottom truly sitting on the ground.
Ella loved everyone she met but didn’t always look friendly. Strangers didn’t know that she just wanted to snuggle and kiss you. Her strength didn’t help this ether. It seemed no matter how many times she was told to stay down she could help jumping up to try to lick your whole face. All she wanted was love and to be warm.

When we got our other puppy Sam she was so excited. She had a friend!! Which is ultimately what she wanted because she absolutely did not understand why the dogs next door and behind us didn’t come to play in the yard with her. Ella was very quiet in the house but when you took her on a walk she’d like everyone to know that she was so excited to be on that walk and could not be leash trained for anything. She’d catch a scent and tried to take dad with her. She walked better for mom.
Mom could never take a shower or go to bathroom or move without Ella. It wasn’t allowed. Ella needed to lean against mom and let her know how much she loved her. Also if there was a zoom meeting that Ella could sit in she would. She attend school with Makayla sitting happily in the room with her keeping her company.
You could never rush Ella. Everything was at her own pace and she would argue with you at the door about coming inside almost to say “but really I didn’t sniff that tree over there” or “ that squirrel looked at me funny mom I really must go tell it off” everything was at her own time and if she could drag something in the middle of the yard and claim it as hers she would. This included dog bowls, logs from the wood pile and so much more. The yard was hers and how dare you tell her different for if it was outside she would take it. This included dads shoes that were left outside to dry in the sun after getting wet.
Ella was loved and cherished and a true member of the Graves family. She made our days bright, our nights warmer and our lives happier. Our hearts hurt without her and our lives will never be the same with her not here.
Ella my little strong beautiful baby girl. You will be forever in our hearts and we love you so very very much.