Tinkerbell
A donation was made in memory of Tinkerbell by Drs. Stidham, Meyer, Goebel, Bouchey, Lommers, Grant and Leeson at Vista Veterinary Hospital on Mar 18, 2026.
Tinker Bell was born in the summer of 2014 and joined the Loftus family in the fall, but she was wanted for many years before that.
Wendi wanted an English Bulldog so badly, that when Wendi and James married, they received the gift of a dog from Wendi's parents. A few months later, James found some English Bulldog puppies in North Carolina and off they went to pick out their pup. James picked out the most beautiful girl. She was almost all white with one mostly brown ear, another polka dot ear, and a spot on her backend. He thought of the names Twinkie or Tinker Bell ... to which Wendi made the final pick of Tinker Bell -- a girly name for a not-so-girly-dog. Or so she thought at the time. Turns out, Tink was that girly after all.
Just a few months later, Tinker Bell woke up one morning in pain and couldn't walk. We rushed her to the vet and then made an emergency drive to Florida to see a specialist. We were told her spine had a twist in it and it was best to just put her down. However, her vet had one last phone call to make ... to the University of Georgia's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Luckily, they took her case. They told us surgery may not work because they had no documented cases of that kind of spinal surgery on an English Bulldog that young. But, we took the chance and they saved her life. Tinker Bell proceeded to make a miraculous recovery! She was so strong and determined ... with her ever positive attitude. She emerged with a little extra wiggle in her walk but was otherwise normal.
Tinker Bell loved chasing footballs, destroying water bottles, dressing up in family-themed costumes for Halloween ("loved" might be a strong word - probably more like "tolerated"), jumping up on the couches and finding the most comfortable spot possible ... optimum comfort as we would say. She started making annual Super Bowl picks ... with a so-so record. Tinky loved Christmas -- Santa was always good to her with her very own stocking. She also got excited about her jingle bell collar every year. She loved her birthday, where she always got a homemade peanut butter pupcake baked in the shape of a bone.
Tinker Bell made numerous appearances on the local news ... and even got recognized from the news while out on a walk one day! People would often stop to pet her. One time at an outdoor restaurant in Savannah, someone asked to pet her. We said yes. Then before we knew it, there was a line of several people waiting their turn to show her some love! We always thought she thought she was famous. And she kind of was. Tinker Bell came from the University of Georgia Uga mascot bloodline ... with her grandfather being Uga V.
When we moved to Arizona from Georgia, she was the best dog you could ever imagine on the cross-country car trip. She mostly slept and enjoyed the ride, until she would hear someone snacking ... at which point she would wake up to share an apple ... with lots of drooling!
Tinker Belly loved the sun! Bulldogs aren't really supposed to like being hot ... but she adored the warmth and despised the cold. She settled right in, in sunny Arizona. There, she welcomed her first human siblings. She helped make the pregnancy announcement to the world with a sign around her neck and a bright smile on her face. She probably knew about the pregnancy even before Wendi. Her new favorite spot was resting her head on Wendi's growing belly. Soon after, Tinky became big sister to our first daughter ... and two years later ... another daughter to follow. She was so gentle and sweet to the girls.
Unfortunately, Tink started to develop more back problems and had two more subsequent surgeries in Arizona. This time, they were not so successful. She started to struggle to get around and needed to start wearing diapers. But it didn't dull her spirit. With as many trips to the vet as she had in her life, you would think she would hate going. But, we would tell her we were going to see "some friends" (she knew that meant "the vet") and she would still get excited to go. We think she knew they were helping her.
She geared up for another big move ... this time to Washington state. Again, the most perfect travel companion ... just happy to be with her people. She settled into her new home quickly. As her ability to walk deteriorated even more, she enjoyed stroller walks around the neighborhood. In the Washington winters, she would snuggle right up by the fireplace and in the summer, she would always find the sunny spot in the room.
Tinker Bell was so strong and courageous it was hard to know if something was wrong. But at the beginning of 2026, it started to become clear, she wouldn't have much longer. She enjoyed cuddles, treats, and love right up until the end. She overcame so many obstacles and lived 11 amazing years, though never enough for her heartbroken family. She lives on in a children's book series she is featured in, written and published by Wendi. But more importantly, she lives on through her lasting impact on our lives and pawprint forever on our hearts. Tinker Bell had the purest soul and her positive energy would fill the whole house. She is deeply missed but will never be forgotten. Rest peacefully, Tinky. We love you.
As they would say at UGA, Tinker Bell was a Damn Good Dawg.
Wendi wanted an English Bulldog so badly, that when Wendi and James married, they received the gift of a dog from Wendi's parents. A few months later, James found some English Bulldog puppies in North Carolina and off they went to pick out their pup. James picked out the most beautiful girl. She was almost all white with one mostly brown ear, another polka dot ear, and a spot on her backend. He thought of the names Twinkie or Tinker Bell ... to which Wendi made the final pick of Tinker Bell -- a girly name for a not-so-girly-dog. Or so she thought at the time. Turns out, Tink was that girly after all.
Just a few months later, Tinker Bell woke up one morning in pain and couldn't walk. We rushed her to the vet and then made an emergency drive to Florida to see a specialist. We were told her spine had a twist in it and it was best to just put her down. However, her vet had one last phone call to make ... to the University of Georgia's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Luckily, they took her case. They told us surgery may not work because they had no documented cases of that kind of spinal surgery on an English Bulldog that young. But, we took the chance and they saved her life. Tinker Bell proceeded to make a miraculous recovery! She was so strong and determined ... with her ever positive attitude. She emerged with a little extra wiggle in her walk but was otherwise normal.
Tinker Bell loved chasing footballs, destroying water bottles, dressing up in family-themed costumes for Halloween ("loved" might be a strong word - probably more like "tolerated"), jumping up on the couches and finding the most comfortable spot possible ... optimum comfort as we would say. She started making annual Super Bowl picks ... with a so-so record. Tinky loved Christmas -- Santa was always good to her with her very own stocking. She also got excited about her jingle bell collar every year. She loved her birthday, where she always got a homemade peanut butter pupcake baked in the shape of a bone.
Tinker Bell made numerous appearances on the local news ... and even got recognized from the news while out on a walk one day! People would often stop to pet her. One time at an outdoor restaurant in Savannah, someone asked to pet her. We said yes. Then before we knew it, there was a line of several people waiting their turn to show her some love! We always thought she thought she was famous. And she kind of was. Tinker Bell came from the University of Georgia Uga mascot bloodline ... with her grandfather being Uga V.
When we moved to Arizona from Georgia, she was the best dog you could ever imagine on the cross-country car trip. She mostly slept and enjoyed the ride, until she would hear someone snacking ... at which point she would wake up to share an apple ... with lots of drooling!
Tinker Belly loved the sun! Bulldogs aren't really supposed to like being hot ... but she adored the warmth and despised the cold. She settled right in, in sunny Arizona. There, she welcomed her first human siblings. She helped make the pregnancy announcement to the world with a sign around her neck and a bright smile on her face. She probably knew about the pregnancy even before Wendi. Her new favorite spot was resting her head on Wendi's growing belly. Soon after, Tinky became big sister to our first daughter ... and two years later ... another daughter to follow. She was so gentle and sweet to the girls.
Unfortunately, Tink started to develop more back problems and had two more subsequent surgeries in Arizona. This time, they were not so successful. She started to struggle to get around and needed to start wearing diapers. But it didn't dull her spirit. With as many trips to the vet as she had in her life, you would think she would hate going. But, we would tell her we were going to see "some friends" (she knew that meant "the vet") and she would still get excited to go. We think she knew they were helping her.
She geared up for another big move ... this time to Washington state. Again, the most perfect travel companion ... just happy to be with her people. She settled into her new home quickly. As her ability to walk deteriorated even more, she enjoyed stroller walks around the neighborhood. In the Washington winters, she would snuggle right up by the fireplace and in the summer, she would always find the sunny spot in the room.
Tinker Bell was so strong and courageous it was hard to know if something was wrong. But at the beginning of 2026, it started to become clear, she wouldn't have much longer. She enjoyed cuddles, treats, and love right up until the end. She overcame so many obstacles and lived 11 amazing years, though never enough for her heartbroken family. She lives on in a children's book series she is featured in, written and published by Wendi. But more importantly, she lives on through her lasting impact on our lives and pawprint forever on our hearts. Tinker Bell had the purest soul and her positive energy would fill the whole house. She is deeply missed but will never be forgotten. Rest peacefully, Tinky. We love you.
As they would say at UGA, Tinker Bell was a Damn Good Dawg.
