Bella's Blog

Recap in two words - pooped pup.

By the end of the first day of our camping trip, Bella laid on a pillow and did not move most of the night. We camped at a modern campground with three other families so there was always lots of action going on around us. While our older dog actually does better off-leash (a leash means that a walk is imminent), Bella - according to Leader Dog rules - stayed on a tie out. Aside from wrapping herself around picnic tables, trees along with anything else that stood still, she did pretty good.

The second night, I felt her creep across my pillow onto our air mattress (beside which she was supposed to be sleeping), lay down on my husband and fall back to sleep. Barry (my husband) flipped onto his side in his sleep and Bella dropped between us like a slice of cheese. She stayed there for the entire night. It was chilly that evening, so I welcomed her doggy warmth. Besides, it was probably the only time she will ever be allowed to sleep with us!

All in all, she did fabulous. She was well-behaved and made herself at home at the site. She was one dirty dog when we finally got home, but nothing that a good hose, doggy shampoo and a brush couldn't take care of!

Bella's 4 1/2 months now...quite heavy, or "sturdy" as I call it. She had quite a weekend with a fellow puppy raiser while we were at a retreat. Jennifer also is raising a black lab puppy who is only a few weeks younger. Yes, bless her for taking care of the both of them!

Bella had a lot of new experiences while vacationing, including Balogny Days where she watched a parade (eventually got used to the marching bands), sniffed the horses and other animals at the petting zoo and saw the fireworks. The weather was incredibly warm as we have been in the middle of a heat wave (along with the rest of the country). So, the pups were quite manageable because they were pooped!

Bella also found out that she loves the pool. While I couldn't find a plastic pool at this time of year (not for lack of trying yesterday!), my neighbor loaned me a galvanized tub for her to play and cool off in. She loves to splash her paw in the water and try to catch the water that flies up from it. Entertaining for the both of us!

She was a HIT! We took Bella to Art in the Park in Plymouth, Michigan this weekend. Because the day was so beautiful, the streets were still packed with people even into the evening. Bella, pranced right through the crowd like she was made for it! However, we were stopped every several feet by people wanting to pet her, and to ask questions about her. She was a walking billboard for Leader Dogs! I should have had a donation can around her neck; we could have raised a mint.

She has one quirky habit emerging. When she is nearly finished with her water bowl (in other words, she has had enough, but it may not actually be empty yet), she will grab it and either dump it or run with it, thereby dumping it in the process. Well, cute little Bella of the Ball was drinking from one of the many doggy bowls put out by the street vendors. She was lapping up the water, as it was a warm afternoon, and everyone who passed her stopped to admire her. With about half the bowl down, she picked it up (a rather large bowl, I might add), and proceeded to dump it onto her own head, much to the amusement of those watching. What a ham!

Bella seems not to mind going on her leash if there is "purpose." However, she isn't much into walks for exercise yet. The morning walk, in which I try to take her with our other lab, Penny, turns out to be a battle of the wills each day. But when she gets to "parade around" she is happy to oblige.

We were traveling to Minnesota from Detroit, Michigan for a family gathering, so left Bella with my puppy counselor for the week. My LD pup counselor (every one who raises a pup for LD has a counselor they are assigned to for the year they are raising a dog) is also in the process of raising a puppy who is a month older than Bella. In addition, she has a breeder dog. So, Bella got a lot of play time!

It's unbelievable how much they grow in a week! During the time we were gone, Bella had transitioned out of her "meatball stage" (that first stage of a puppy's life when they all look like plumb, furry, shapeless creatures), into a little dog. She remains fairly mellow, likes hanging out in her crate (as long as she can see people while she's in it) and is responding to training. She has mastered "sit" and is working on "down."

She is adorable as ever, and totally affectionate. I dread the day I take her back already!

While getting over kennel cough, Bella developed a urinary tract infection...not a fun puppy thing. I felt badly for her, as her pitiful eyes told me she was miserable. Unfortunately, this set our housebreaking back a bit, as you might imagine. Before I realized what the poor pup was suffering from, I was chasing her around the house with a roll of paper towels and vinegar. Have to admit, however, that I've gotten very good at getting puppy accidents out of the carpet!

Bella and I attended our first official Leader Dog outing on Saturday at a golf course. The Lions were sponsoring a tournament to raise money. As the primary organization that sponsors Leader Dog, they wanted a few pups there to show their benevolence – rightly so!

So, I met up with two other puppy raisers and their pups for a couple hours of “showing off.” Amazingly (considering the couple of days prior), Bella was on her best behavior, batting her eyes at people, and laying quietly at my feet.

Unfortunately, that afternoon she began making the strangest noises. Turns out she has “kennel cough.” While the vet assured me this upper respiratory infection would slow her down, it has done little of the sort! I was up most of Saturday night because her cage is next to my bed, and her coughing was pretty continuous. Last night was better, but we both might sneak an extra nap in anyway.

Also, milestone! Bella made it up the steps today for the first time. I guess it’s one of those mixed blessings – not having to lift her up anymore, but having now to block off all of the stairways with yet another baby gate. She isn’t doing it consistently, and is still frightened of going down after her escapade last week (started going down the carpeted steps on her own and went end over end, briefly pausing every few steps). While not harmed in any way, the unpoetic means of traveling downward has prevented her from trying again – for now.

...Bella woke up this morning a completely different dog – whining, even barking for no apparent reason except that she seemed completely annoyed at the world. I took her for a walk with Penny (an activity which she was totally agreeable to the previous day), and she planted her black lab bum on the pavement, refusing to move and gagging loudly (with much drama attached), when I tried to gently jerk her along. We didn’t last long before turning back, Bella’s eyes gloriously bright in victory; Penny’s pitifully sad in defeat.

While I know that dogs are "denning" animals, Bella takes this to the extreme. Yesterday, while working on the computer in the dining area, she crawled under my chair for a nap. I heard her rustling after that, but didn’t look to see where she went. I pulled back the curtains that hang from the counter (to hide stuff), and there she was, perched on a casserole, with her head on the Crockpot (see pic below).

However, her absolute favorite spot in the world, is behind the toilet. I know what you’re thinking – yes, I have cleaned behind there, this month in fact. Still, it’s not the cozy area that I imagined an adorable puppy balling up in. One of the days, I’m guessing she’ll outgrow it, and we’ll be greasing her with butter to pull her out. It’s also her spot to run when she is mad…which has been often today. Funny how even puppies have “the look” (I thought only teenagers could throw darts with their eyes). One “look” over her shoulder and she’s marching off to the toilet.

While Bella LOVES Penny (follows her everywhere), and likes to pounce on almost anything, Mike has quickly become her favorite toy.

She is adorable! Looks like an overstuffed toy, actually. She slept through the night, aside from one parking trip with me about 2:30 am...I was getting up to park myself.

It's difficult not to compare her with Moses. She is a bit more "girly" (I think), which seems to lend to her being more playful and taking more naps (yea!). She's a snuggler, too, but I'm trying REALLY HARD not to spoil her like I did Moses (naps on the couch together, naps on the bed, etc).

So begins the journey with Bella, a puppy we are raising for Leader Dogs for the Blind. She is our second puppy, with the first (Moses) still in training and awaiting his perfect match. We picked up Bella on Sunday, on a rather uneventful trip, aside from the fact she wouldn't "park" (Leader Dog term for potty). Therefore, I was a bit anxious the entire trip home. She has no problem parking now, and is even quickly learning the command...although I am not as quick at picking up the "I-need-to-park-NOW" signals.

I love Leader Dogs for the Blind and their mission...thus the puppy raising. Sure, it's a bit of work, but darn they are cute! Bella is a "bit fat" as the staff member told me, and to be sure to keep her on the same amount of food until you can see her legs again!