Victor Ventura and Bella explore the Ocean State
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Victor Ventura and his beagle Bella are an ambitious duo on a mission to explore Rhode Island’s nooks and crannies. “There are just so many places in the state that I’d never been to and didn’t know anything about,” Ventura, a resident of South Kingstown, said explaining their goal to visit each of the state’s 39 municipalities. “And since we have to walk anyway,” he continued, “why not learning something about Rhode Island while we’re at it?” Their project involves going on walking tours of each city and town in Rhode Island, snapping photos as they visit various landmarks. They’ve also paid visits to the mayors of each city they’ve stopped in. The two began the project around a year-and-a-half ago with a tour of Woonsocket, where they met Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. Ventura said every mayor so far has eagerly welcomed the pair of wanderers. “I grew up in Pawtucket,” Ventura, 69, explained his impetus for touring the state with Bella. “I lived a very insulated life—we never went anywhere, other than the beach every once-in-a-while.” To date, Ventura and Bella have ticked 36 cities and towns off their list. Along the way, Ventura said he’s learned all sorts of interesting tidbits about his home state and has developed a deep appreciation for all Rhode Island has to offer. “Our state parks are just wonderful,” he added, “and I doubt if many people other than those who live in the area have ever been.” Ventura has even created a Facebook page for Bella to share their adventures with all who are interested. By posting photos with detailed captions, Ventura hopes their followers learn more about the state by experiencing it vicariously. “If you’re a Rhode Islander and you wanted to learn about Rhode Island without leaving your kitchen table and the internet, you can follow Bella,” he added. “That’s what it’s been all about.” Most recently, the two explored South Kingstown. Ventura said he was thrilled to learn during that walk—which took them all over Wakefield, Peace Dale, Kingston and Matunuck—all sorts of new things about the town he’s called home for several decades. “It’s just amazing the kinds of things that I’m discovering,” Ventura added. He said for example that although he had known about The Contemporary Theater, he was excited to discover the company’s outdoor stage and to learn about Shakespeare on the Saugatucket. In the photos shared on her Facebook page, Bella can be seen sitting by the town hall; gazing into Potter’s Pond Channel; posing on the steps of Theatre by the Sea. With the tour of their hometown now under their belts, Ventura and Bella just have Warwick, Newport and Providence left on their list. Ventura added he hopes he and Bella can meet Gov. Gina Raimondo, as well. Ventura took up this challenge shortly after retiring in 2015 from his job as principal of Springbrook Elementary School in Westerly— Ventura had worked for 47 years as a public educator. “I always said to my wife ‘you know I think when I retire I’d like to get another beagle and do some therapy work in schools and hospitals,’” Ventura said. Ventura and his wife Nancy adopted Bella in 2016 from B.O.N.E.S. (Beagles Of New England States), after losing their beagle of nine years. Ventura and Bella were certified soon after as a pet therapy team, and have since visited patients at hospitals around the state. They plan also to undergo pet therapy orientation with Hope Hospice and Palliative Care this fall. “Bella really embraces the therapy thing,” Ventura added. And although those who have interacted with Bella over the last two years have certainly benefited from meeting her, Ventura is sure Bella has also benefited from their travels. “She was in a cage 20 out of 24 hours every day for the first two years of her life,” Ventura said. He added that when he adopted Bella, she was “very timid.” “But everything that we do makes her more confident,” he continued, “and she’s just such a friendly dog.” Bella’s transformation, Ventura added, has been a remarkable one. And while she’s still a bit shy, she seems to have come a long way from where she was two years ago. “And I’m happy to be part of that,” Ventura said, “but it’s also enriched my life.” As the two approach their goal of visiting every municipality, Ventura said he and Bella don’t plan to slow down. “When we get done towns and cities we’re going to visit Rhode Island college campuses,” Ventura said. He added he also hopes to take Bella on aerial and boat tours of Rhode Island. “This is just going to continue because I’m finding it so personally rewarding,” Ventura continued. “And I’m giving Bella all the experiences that she would never have had in her life in a cage. Even though she’s a dog, I’m sure she appreciates everything that we do.” You can follow Bella’s journey at www.facebook.com/VLadyBella/.