Obituaries

From Dongguan to Decatur – A Life Well Lived

Bella Peavy-Sima (December 12, 2009 – January 7, 2022) passed away after a yearlong battle with cancer. Bella was born on a puppy farm in the industrial city of Dongguan, China. She was adopted by a family in Shenzhen, who eventually could not keep her and approached Katherine about adopting her. Katherine agreed to ‘try it out for a weekend’ and on Sunday was thinking ‘this will either be the straw that breaks the camel’s back or one of the best things I’ve ever done.’ It was the later.

Bella grew up in the tropical climes of Shenzhen until she went on a big adventure. At about 4 or 5 years old, Bella moved to the U.S. She took a van from Shenzhen to Hong Kong and got to stay overnight in the kennel at HKIA before flying to Chicago the next day. She, her feline companion, and her human family then drove from Chicago to Atlanta stopping at all the best rest stops along the way for a pee and a run.

Bella picked up new hobbies in America – her favorites included chasing squirrels, catching the frisbee, and going on nature walks. Bella liked to carry stones or tennis balls in her mouth until her Uncle David taught her to catch a frisbee, which became a lifelong passion. She was also a good swimmer, paddling around in Peachtree Creek during spring and summer nature walks – and sometimes winter walks as well.

She was a food connoisseur. Apart from dog food, Bella indulged in leftovers from the plates of small humans, sneaking sticks of butter left on the counter, Publix roast chicken, kale stalks, cucumber, and watermelon. She once ate a whole plate of Christmas sugar cookies and a bag of Reese’s peanut butter cups.

Bella will be greatly missed. She was the most patient and loyal companion anyone could wish for. She is survived by her human family, her feline companion Marceau the Magnificent, and surely thousands of brothers and sisters. A private memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers, calls, visits, please consider donating to or adopting from Lifeline Animal Project: https://lifelineanimal.org/