Born to bring comfort, Mella is a Golden Retriever through and through: sweet, gentle and remarkably intuitive about who needs a little extra love.
For a little over 10 years, Ericka and David Preble have called Baxter Village home. Of everything they have come to love about the neighborhood, the friendships that have grown into family stand out most. That sense of community has been a gift to their daughter, their whole family and, of course, their Golden Retriever, Mella.
Three days with Cody
The Prebles already knew they were a Golden Retriever family when Mella arrived at seven weeks old. Their first Golden, 12-year-old Cody, had been in declining health. He and Mella shared only three short but perfect days before Cody died.
The family likes to believe Cody knew they would be in good paws. He passed along all his best tips and secrets to the new puppy, who quickly became the family's whole world.
Mella's name came courtesy of the Prebles' daughter, who was 5 at the time. Looking at the tiny, fluffy white puppy, she announced, "Mommy, she looks like a marshmella!" And just like that, Mella had her name.
On duty
It soon became clear that Mella was born to be a therapy dog. She offers quiet, steady comfort to patients and staff, and she serves as the pet therapy dog at Orchard Park Elementary School, where she has become a familiar face on campus. Over the past four years, Mella and her family have expanded their reach by visiting local nursing homes, police departments and area libraries.
Off duty
When she is off duty, Mella knows how to have fun. She loves tennis balls, all the tennis balls, and celebrates touchdowns by jumping up alongside her football-loving family. She also enjoys visiting The Grapevine, where belly rubs await, and strolling through The Little Shop, where the stuffed animals sit conveniently at snout level.
Her favorite Baxter pastime is riding in the golf cart. "Golf cart" has become a phrase the family must spell aloud. Open the garage door and Mella will hop aboard and wait, even if no ride is planned. For her, getting there is always the best part.
Her best neighborhood buddies are Bodhi Fowler, her Golden Retriever half-brother, and Moose Renken, an English Springer Spaniel who keeps her young. Whether she is racing into Charleston's waves or jumping from a dock after tennis balls, Mella carries the same joyful spirit and leaves comfort everywhere she goes.
This story appears in the October 2026 issue of Stroll The Village.