Hello again friends. This post is dedicated primarily to those of my readers who have a loving dog in their life who is like their kid. A pup's love is as unconditional as a child's love. No matter what kind of home they live in, how they are treated, or how many times they get put in "time out", a dog will always come for a treat, will always miss you when you're gone, and wait patiently by the door for you to come home. My Bella can be a handful but today she reminded me of that unconditional love and how much of a child she is.
Often times, I'm still figuring out how to plan my day since staying home with the kids. Bella tries to give me ideas in her own little way. This dog will drag a shirt out of the laundry basket which tells me I need to do a batch of clothes. Bella will pull a coat off the back of a chair showing me it's time to go for a ride in the truck. Other times, she will pull pillows and blankets off the couch letting me know they are in her way because she wants to lie down. Today she was simply being a little kid..
I was cleaning up after breakfast and Bella was barking up a storm. When I entered the living room, she was lying down on the couch under her blanket barking for no apparent reason. I went over and asked her what was the matter. I knew she'd had her treat, gone out to do her business, and she had already played with her tennis ball. I sat down next to her and rubbed her head asking "What's the matter my girl?" She stretched out, laid across my lap and promptly went to sleep. She just wanted me to be with her for her nap. I just sat there patting her head and talking to her quietly about what a good dog she was. I stayed with her for about half an hour and then decided it was time to get back to my daily task list.
While I was sitting there I found myself thinking of when my son was small. We used to sit and cuddle on the couch and I would tell him how proud I was of him, what a good boy he was, etc. Sitting with Bella today was like sharing a special moment with your kids. My son Sean turned 15 today and I was thinking about how fast he's growing up and how much he's "grown" away from mommy now that he's a teenager. I guess I was missing those times. Bella knew just what to do to make mommy feel better. Sometimes a dog just knows when a parent needs to be reminded of their child's unconditional love.
Thanks for reading...come back soon :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bella's Chasing Her Tail Again
I never realized how lethal a dog's tail could be. Lady Bella has a whip attached to her butt! It is very funny to see a dog as big as my girl spinning in circles to catch her tail. Since she has grown and the tail has also, all she needs to do now is turn her head slightly and take a chomp. Unlike some dogs who chase their tails, Bella doesn't really have to work at it to get ahold of that thing. She will wake up sometimes and her tail looks more appetizing than her tug toy so she puts it in her mouth and the race is on. Once she has ahold, watch out.
When she was smaller, I don't believe she realized the white tip is attached. If she caught a glimpse of it she would growl and attack. It was a foreign object that needed to be destroyed. We were all very puzzled watching her when this occurred because the initial bite seemed quite painful but instead of saying to herself "oh maybe I don't want to do that" she would growl and yelp taking a more vicious run at it. She would sit there biting it repeatedly, showing this tail who was boss. She has grown out of that finally.
Now the tail is her first line of defense. She uses it for evasive maneuvers while trying to avoid capture. As mischievous as Bella is suffice it to say, she is in time out quite often. She has learned by accident once she is in a spin, no one is brave enough to try and grab her. The tail is no longer an enemy but her ally against the dreaded pen. She does not like going in her pen anymore for any reason whatsoever. I noticed today how deliberate this tail spin is. She was chasing our cat Suzie today in an attempt to bite her tail too. The cat does not like this game. Of course I don't allow it either which bothers Bella. I was on the move to stop her which means we play "ring around the rosie" around the kitchen island until I catch Bella or I fall down when she screams by like a racecar with legs instead of wheels. Today I got whipped like a ragdoll. As she flew by, I grabbed for her collar and she went for her tail immediately going into a full tilt 360. After being pulled off my feet and slammed into the side of the island she realized I'd let go and stopped the spin only to smack me right in the face with that tail! OUCH...Talk about adding insult to injury.
Keep in mind the reason for this matchup was to rescue the damn cat. I stood up having decided the dog can do what she wants for the next five minutes until my head stops spinning. I look up to see Suzie sitting on the island watching this scene. The cat is cleaning her paw and Bella comes over and licks her furry little face. I wonder sometimes what those two are planning next.
When she was smaller, I don't believe she realized the white tip is attached. If she caught a glimpse of it she would growl and attack. It was a foreign object that needed to be destroyed. We were all very puzzled watching her when this occurred because the initial bite seemed quite painful but instead of saying to herself "oh maybe I don't want to do that" she would growl and yelp taking a more vicious run at it. She would sit there biting it repeatedly, showing this tail who was boss. She has grown out of that finally.
Now the tail is her first line of defense. She uses it for evasive maneuvers while trying to avoid capture. As mischievous as Bella is suffice it to say, she is in time out quite often. She has learned by accident once she is in a spin, no one is brave enough to try and grab her. The tail is no longer an enemy but her ally against the dreaded pen. She does not like going in her pen anymore for any reason whatsoever. I noticed today how deliberate this tail spin is. She was chasing our cat Suzie today in an attempt to bite her tail too. The cat does not like this game. Of course I don't allow it either which bothers Bella. I was on the move to stop her which means we play "ring around the rosie" around the kitchen island until I catch Bella or I fall down when she screams by like a racecar with legs instead of wheels. Today I got whipped like a ragdoll. As she flew by, I grabbed for her collar and she went for her tail immediately going into a full tilt 360. After being pulled off my feet and slammed into the side of the island she realized I'd let go and stopped the spin only to smack me right in the face with that tail! OUCH...Talk about adding insult to injury.
Keep in mind the reason for this matchup was to rescue the damn cat. I stood up having decided the dog can do what she wants for the next five minutes until my head stops spinning. I look up to see Suzie sitting on the island watching this scene. The cat is cleaning her paw and Bella comes over and licks her furry little face. I wonder sometimes what those two are planning next.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Turning Bella into a Pats Fan
As stated on my Facebook page recently, Bella is not a football fan. I'm starting to think it's not really anything to do with football but the fact that when football is on no one pays attention to her. This is not acceptable human behavior. Last night my hubby and son were playing Madden on PS3. Bella wasn't interested at first but once she tried getting their attention, a few times to no avail she came to get mommy to help her with this task.
I guess pulling me off the bar stool in the kitchen was her way of saying "back me up here". I explained to her when the boys are playing Madden; leave them alone. She didn't get it. She went back to the living room and tried blocking their view by jumping around in front of the TV and growling at their feet. Since the TV is an 83" monstrosity, that didn't work very well. They simply ignored her and continued taking jabs at each other about the others lack of sporting prowess and the dog continued ranting and raving.
Being a female I figured, I'd clue her in. Once there is a game on of any sort;, whether it be a video game, rerun of last week's highlights on ESPN, a team they don't really follow, or an actual Patriots game, there is no amount of moaning, crying, pouting, stomping, yelling and screaming. OOPS; I meant barking or growling that is going to get their attention until the game is over or at least a reprieve meaning a commercial. Good luck puppy dog - If a tantrum doesn't work for mommy it isn't going to work for you!!!
Now the question is, what do we do for the Superbowl!!! Maybe we will put her in a Giants jersey and call it a day... At least she'll have something to chew on while the rest of us watch the game.
I guess pulling me off the bar stool in the kitchen was her way of saying "back me up here". I explained to her when the boys are playing Madden; leave them alone. She didn't get it. She went back to the living room and tried blocking their view by jumping around in front of the TV and growling at their feet. Since the TV is an 83" monstrosity, that didn't work very well. They simply ignored her and continued taking jabs at each other about the others lack of sporting prowess and the dog continued ranting and raving.
Being a female I figured, I'd clue her in. Once there is a game on of any sort;, whether it be a video game, rerun of last week's highlights on ESPN, a team they don't really follow, or an actual Patriots game, there is no amount of moaning, crying, pouting, stomping, yelling and screaming. OOPS; I meant barking or growling that is going to get their attention until the game is over or at least a reprieve meaning a commercial. Good luck puppy dog - If a tantrum doesn't work for mommy it isn't going to work for you!!!
Now the question is, what do we do for the Superbowl!!! Maybe we will put her in a Giants jersey and call it a day... At least she'll have something to chew on while the rest of us watch the game.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Bella vs The Pink Pig Slippers
Most of my friends know that I am an animal lover. In fact, for those who don't know I used to be the proud mommy of a pot belly pig named "Little Porker". He was the best "dog" we ever had. Considering Bella's notorious bad behavior, he still holds that title. When I bought Little Porker he was only 15lbs. By the time I was forced to adopt him out, he was 165 lbs and not very comfortable in a two bedroom apartment. I had major withdrawal symptoms after I had to give my baby away so I started collectiong pigs after he was gone. I have stuffed animals, some kitchen gadgets including the cutest cannisters and some really adorable slippers.
This is the problem. Every time I wear my favorite piggy slippers Bella goes crazy. I took a break from the Patriots/Ravens to give Matthew; my husband, some peace. Bella has been barking nonstop since she spied the slippers on my feet. She's been lunging, growling, barking and trying to steal the slippers from me. I have two options, remove the slippers and put on socks as Matthew suggests or block the dog's view of the slippers so she doesn't notice them. Only problem with that option is, she isn't really a dumb dog. She knows the slippers are hiding under that blanket...The outcome will be determined by who is more stubborn: Will I keep the slippers on and fight with the dog for the rest of the game or are me and the dog going to get thrown out of the living room by my hubby??? I'm betting on Matthew throwing us out of the living room... GO PATRIOTS All I know is I'm not taking off my slippers... :)
This is the problem. Every time I wear my favorite piggy slippers Bella goes crazy. I took a break from the Patriots/Ravens to give Matthew; my husband, some peace. Bella has been barking nonstop since she spied the slippers on my feet. She's been lunging, growling, barking and trying to steal the slippers from me. I have two options, remove the slippers and put on socks as Matthew suggests or block the dog's view of the slippers so she doesn't notice them. Only problem with that option is, she isn't really a dumb dog. She knows the slippers are hiding under that blanket...The outcome will be determined by who is more stubborn: Will I keep the slippers on and fight with the dog for the rest of the game or are me and the dog going to get thrown out of the living room by my hubby??? I'm betting on Matthew throwing us out of the living room... GO PATRIOTS All I know is I'm not taking off my slippers... :)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
This pup will never learn...
I'm beginning to think Bella is either looking for attention or thinks I need more exercise.
I am convinced my dog has a sock fetish. We have had to close the laundry room door since she could peer over the baskets. She steals a sock or two every day. Today I retrieved 3 socks from those drooly jowls. Between dish towels placed neatly or socks haphazardly tossed around the house by a 4 year old and 14 year old, it is impossible to help this dog kick her habit. Even with the laundry room inaccessible there is bounty aplenty.
While my mother in law was visiting over the summer Bella actually went rummaging in her suitcase to find a sock that was "just right". I don't know if she tires of her chew toys, likes the feel of cotton or just likes to see mommy do laps around the kitchen island, through the dining room and into the living room on my quest to save the sock. It's a daily course I've become accustomed to. I've thought of setting up an obstacle course along the way to make it more challenging for both of us. A very subtle track is being formed in the carpet. I wonder if I should simply buy Bella some socks of her own? Then again, she'd find something else to keep herself amused. I wonder if it would be easier to have 3 year old triplets. No that's not a good idea - many more socks to deal with then.
I am convinced my dog has a sock fetish. We have had to close the laundry room door since she could peer over the baskets. She steals a sock or two every day. Today I retrieved 3 socks from those drooly jowls. Between dish towels placed neatly or socks haphazardly tossed around the house by a 4 year old and 14 year old, it is impossible to help this dog kick her habit. Even with the laundry room inaccessible there is bounty aplenty.
While my mother in law was visiting over the summer Bella actually went rummaging in her suitcase to find a sock that was "just right". I don't know if she tires of her chew toys, likes the feel of cotton or just likes to see mommy do laps around the kitchen island, through the dining room and into the living room on my quest to save the sock. It's a daily course I've become accustomed to. I've thought of setting up an obstacle course along the way to make it more challenging for both of us. A very subtle track is being formed in the carpet. I wonder if I should simply buy Bella some socks of her own? Then again, she'd find something else to keep herself amused. I wonder if it would be easier to have 3 year old triplets. No that's not a good idea - many more socks to deal with then.
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