Sometimes a Lesson Learned is Self Taught

     It has been a little while since we have posted a blog entry for Bella.  Reason being up until about a week ago she’s actually been a pretty good dog.  Short term miracles are a blessing with her.  As expected, short lived is the important phrase here.  She is back to her terrible self again.  I guess she tired of the concept of leaving Brianna’s toys alone but that is another entry. She has also tired of the concept that Suzie has a right to have her tail dry and fluffy; not wet and yucked up from Bella nipping and chomping on it at will.  Suzie does not appreciate being stepped on and squished to the floor simply because Bella decides this is a fun way to surprise the Cat while she is sleeping in front of the slider.  Since Brie has gotten comfortable with being able to leave a baby doll or stuffed animal around Bella had learned those things were off limits.  The Cat is supposed to be off limits too.  She has also learned that even though she wants to roam free she has to be on a leash or chained up when she goes outside.  Giving this dog chances is like walking down the street naked and expecting not to get arrested. ..You just don’t do it!

     The monster dog decided to go for a little stroll over to my neighbor’s house the other day and wouldn’t come back.  When I finally chased her down in his back yard, she kept looking over her shoulder at me and galloping a few more feet away, turning around putting her head to the ground, butt in the air and barking at me like a rabid beast; important to note the tail has been profusely wagging throughout this little neighborhood jaunt.  Apparently she thinks it is a game to have mommy chase her around the area in 90+ degrees of horrid heat and humidity, sweating my butt off and not exactly enjoying the trip to the grouchy neighbors.  I finally gave up the chase, told her under no uncertain circumstances that if she didn’t find her way back to her own house, the truck would be waiting to bring her spoiled butt to the pound once and for all and I would deal with Daddy’s wrath when he got home.  I lived through crashing his truck so dropping the dog off might be a little worse but at this point, figured I could take it. 

     Now, everyone knows this dog is my ‘kid’ and I would never drop one of my kids off at the “pound” so it was definitely an idol threat but I was at the end of my rope with Bella the Brat!!!  I turned my back on her, began the trek back to our driveway and marched up the hill to the homestead.  I must have been muttering quite loudly or she knew when mommy turned tail and headed off in a huff the hound dog was in serious doo doo.   Like a supersonic boom, all I felt was a blast of hot air as the crazy dog passed me at about Mach10!!  Like a shot she headed up the hill and parked her butt on the front porch for me to get up that damn hill!!!  As I got to her, she leaped nearly over my head;  I had to duck, and around the back of the house.  She thought the game was still in progress apparently.  I was so aggravated at this point I simply went in the house, took her water dish, filled it with fresh water and ice cubes and stuck it on the front steps.  I went back in the nice cool and cozy house and went about my daily routine. 

     It could have backfired but this dog is not an outdoorsy type; just like her momma.  I knew in the heat, racing laps around the house to annoy me, running up to the deck barking and jumping on the door just to take off again, as I open the door would wear her out sooner or later….sure enough not 10 minutes later, I hear whining and woofing at the front door.   I walked to the door and opened it up for her to come in.  She came in and flopped herself right there in the living room next to the vent for the air conditioning.  I think she stayed there for over an hour.  I ignored her, Brianna brought her some ice cubes that she gobbled up and baby Bella went to sleep. 

     Sometimes, letting kids learn their own lesson is the best way to teach them right from wrong.  Moral of the story:  If you are a lap dog and live comfortably in central air for 99% of your day, it is not too bright to take off on your mom in scalding heat because she may not let you back in the house until she’s ready!!!  Then again, this morning I got up and apparently Bella decided to get back at me.  Her leash was chewed to shreds sitting next to the front door with one of Brianna’s stuffed animals missing its head with stuffing all over the place!  I disposed of the evidence before Brianna saw the crime scene.  All I could do was sigh, and say those famous last words “DAMN DOG”… and our day begins  J

If you have a crazy dog like mine, drop me a note and tell us about them.  Loveable monsters are the best creatures in my book.  Thanks for reading.  Check back soon, I’m sure Bella will have created more chaos.  It is her MO

          

ENOUGH ALREADY WITH THE HEATWAVE!!!

     Welcome to SUMMER!! Nothing like slamming you in the kisser right off the bat.  The past two days have been absolutely treacherous for kids and geriatric patients...Not so fun for animals either.  Bella is irritable and moody again.  I thought the first Heat for her was a miserable experience.  This mini heatwave is making her a monster!  She goes outside and is instantly panting and whining to come in.  This dog never stays out for more than 10 minutes anyway and getting her to step off the porch to pee right now is a chore. 

     She has taken over the living room.  First of all, there is plenty of room on the couch for 10 people if you squeeze in nice and snug.  On a normal day, Brianna, Sean, Bella, Matthew and Myself fit just fine; oops forgot the cat perched on the back of the couch atop my head.  OK - fast forward to the past two days.  Bella has decided she is not going to share the couch with anyone.  Reason being obvious to the average observer.   The ceiling fans are centered one above the couch and the other in the middle of the living in front of the couch creating a very nice flow of cool air which Bella has decided belongs to her.  Mind you, the dog is always allowed on the furniture; she would have it no other way.  She also sleeps with me in my bed...that is until yesterday morning.  Our ceiling fan is above our bed as well.  The nasty, moody overheated dog has made herself at home in all of the perfect cooling spots in the house. 

     When it came time to get up and go outside to do her business yesterday, she let us know in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to wake up.  I had my son try and usher her off the bed since I was having no luck.  He was ready to leave for Summer Session at school, and is not always happy about having to assist me with the 110 lb dog who thinks he is a lifesize chewtoy at times.  I was being patient with the two of them and I finally said, "Grab her collar and make her follow you!"  Bella chose to ignore this order and proceeded in growling at the two of us, standing up on the bed, turning herself around, quite deliberately adding insult to injury by whacking me with her tail as she did so and flopped back down on the bed thinking she'd won the battle.  "Well guess what honey!  You are not the Queen Bitch in this house!!  Now it is WAR!"  I proceeded to remove the dog forcibly from the bed as my son ran down the stairs thinking CUJO was on his heels.

     Now anyone who follows this blog knows how deeply devoted and in mommy love with this four legged creature I am.  However, growling at my firstborn and me because you are too comfortable to get your bony ass up and go pee is not gonna fly in this household.  She got the message, headed down the stairs and out the door to do her business.  She complied and thought it was going to be business as usual.  Step two after going out in the morning is waiting in the kitchen for her breathe saver bone (that is for my sake) and her treat.  I then add ice cubes to her fresh water and fill her food bowl.  She also has toast with us when I make breakfast for Brie and myself.  NOT TODAY DOGGIE DEVILLE!!! 

     Since she decided to be disobedient, she is sleeping downstairs for the remainder of the week; grounded until Sunday.  I guess she is smarter than I give her credit for because she's making herself quite cozy in her new sleeping quarters and getting back at us in her own devious manner.  She has made it impossible to sit with her on the couch.  If I sit on the left, she pushes herself against me til I'm squished in the corner, if I sit to the right, same thing.  If we dare sit in the middle or get too close to her she lays right across you with her elbows in your belly or thighs and drools all over you!!  I swear this drooling thing is to aggravate the recipient of the dog slobber.  She is very good about wiping her mouth on the towel near her bowl when she takes a drink (I trained her to do so) and the last two days, she's been neglecting this hygeinic practice.  She is flapping those big jowls right in front of you so if you turn your head, you get hair full of slobber, if you don't...well that is worse!  YUK YUK YUK  If I wanted a St. Bernard I would have got one!! 

     I'm not so sure grounding the dog is paying off as I hoped it would; teach her a lesson.  She is acting like a petulant child who lost their favorite toy.  We have Central Air so there is no need for her to hog the ceiling fans, but she is being really belligerent about it.  Even the Cat is feeling her wrath.  Poor Suzie lies on the kitchen floor near the floor vent and right underneath the ceiling fan all of the time.  That dog went over two or three times today while the poor cat was snoozing and stepped right on her belly!!  What a monster she is.  The poor cat got smooshed once and I had to make Bella remove her foot.  The other two times I yelled at her and she removed the invasive paw.  I'm really hoping this terrible heat dies down so I can stick the dog outside and we can have some peace or get to sit on the couch!  I can't wait until Matthew gets home this weekend.  Then again, she is always behaved around him and I get blamed for spoiling her too much.  Me???  NEVER...You just cannot stay mad for long at the beautiful big blue eyed dog...
    
   

ITS NOT A TREAT IT IS MEDICINE BELLA!!!

     Oh Poor Suzie. 

     Bella is normally jealous of the cat to begin with but the past two weeks have been quite a difficult time for my kitkat.  Suzie is on Antibiotics and the dog thinks she's getting treats everyday and she wants it herself!!!    Bella has been experiencing many time-outs lately in her pen. 

     Let's keep in mind how spoiled this dog is first of all.  She sleeps in our bed, she is allowed on every piece of furniture, and basically has run of the entire house.  Matthew bought her a brand new Ford F150 Supercab because she outgrew our Altima.  Bella gets Dunkin Donuts munchkins every morning when I get my coffee; even if I don't get coffee she still gets munchkins.  She receives new tug and chew toys every few weeks.  I also buy her a lb. or more of dog treats at Petco which she picks out herself each week.  And lets not forget her buttered toast; she won't eat it without butter .  The dog lives like a QUEEN.

    The cat on the other hand enjoys a quiet life of solitude.  Suzie ventures out to lay on the couch, sits on the back of my chair when I type, sleeps under the bed so Bella leaves her alone, gets treats only occasionally, and doesn't get to go outside and run wild because she is declawed.  For the most part, many cat lovers would say I discriminate against her in favor of the dog.  They may be onto something.

    There is just something about being attacked by a cat unexpectedly at random that puts you on edge.  I am sometimes leary of whether she's going to purr or growl when I go to pet her.  Luckily, the front claws were removed when she was young because she loved tearing flesh.  Yes, mine!!!  Whether it be a finger, toe, ankle, swat across the face, or the worst; sneak attack while sleeping on your tummy and you wake up screaming because you have a cat using your back as a scratching post.  Forgive me, if I chose to keep my skin where it belongs and that of my family and friends.  It was for the "Greater Good" Suzie was altered.

     Maybe subconsciously, I thought Bella could keep her in line.  She definitely tries.  They get along on occasion, but lately, the dog has taken to chasing Suzie away every time she sees her.  On our trip to the vet two weeks ago, I was informed Suzie has infected gums.  I felt like a terrible Mommy because, I didn't know.  She was eating, was still being a normal crabby cat, and her disdain towards me hadn't changed.  The Vet decided to put her on Antibiotics for 10 days or until the gums were cleared.  My first thought was "I need to buy gloves".  Sure enough, the Vet gives me a dropper and marks the measurement, etc.  The next morning here we go....

I catch the Cat who is growling and hissing as expected.  I place her on the kitchen island and here comes Bella.  I have an open bottle of pink sticky smelly medicine, a screeching cat, and a growling dog pulling at my jeans because she thinks I'm giving the cat a treat!   Long behold, Bella jumps up as I am trying to get the dropper in the cat's mouth while being bitten repeatedly.  The dog grabs the open bottle and is off!!!  Needless to say, the cat got squashed to the counter; medicine administered! Now to catch the dog.  Well, there she is with the bottle halfway down her throat and pink sticky stuff on her paws and our beige couch!!!  She couldn't have stayed in the kitchen because that would have been too easy.  After extracting the bottle from the dogs jaws, I threw away what was left. 

I called the Vet, explained what happened and asked if I could come pick up another bottle of Antibiotics.  After she was done laughing at me, she says "Sure I will have it ready when you get here Mrs. George."  So I said, "OK, how much is that going to be?"  She checks, gets back on the phone and says "$29.00".  I was floored!!!  For a friggin cat's gums!!  DAMN DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!  Then I looked at Bella and decided not to say a thing more.  I have always believed that if you say something hurtful, you can't take it back so I bit my tongue; afterall she is one of my children :)

The lesson I learned from this experience, is put the jealous dog in the pen if you are unsure of her reaction to a new situation.  I'm thinking next time I have to administer something to the cat or one of the children who is uncooperative, I may have a bottle of Nyquil at the ready so Bella can grab that and run.  Maybe she'll give us a few hours of peace while she sleeps like a baby!!!    Well not seriously... but it has crossed my mind on occasion.

Bella Versus Nature

     Whew!!! Bella and the family have been busy.  "Hello Sunshine"!!!!  Bella has gained about 10 more pounds which means I really need to work out to keep up with her.  I am seriousl
y considering rollerblades to accomplish this feat.  It was a funny afterthought before but now I think it may be a necessity.  This dog can be out the door and in the truck in 4 leaps. 

     Bella has decided she likes Nature in our front yard.  We have wild turkeys passing through on a  regular basis.  My dog has decided standing in the Bay window will scare them away.  I don't mean in front of it; I mean IN IT... She jumps up on the window ledge and whines like a madwoman.  If I happen to be non-decaffeinated and mistakenly open the door she is off like a greyhound at Lincoln Park.  I'm waiting for a turkey to have a stroke in my front yard!!! "I wonder if I would have to bring it to the Vet or Animal Control would come pick it up"  lol...Sorry sidenote...  The deer; well that's another story.  She chases them too but never gets close enough to do any damage.  Maybe if she didn't start barking and growling before she hit the front steps, she'd have better luck.  This dog's bark can probably be heard a mile away so "stealth" is not her strong suit.  She also likes the 82" big screen my Hubby and Son love.  If we are watching Animal Planet, all you need is a barking dog and Bella is snapping, growling and drooling all over the Living Room.  I swear one of these days, the big paws are going to slam right into that TV instead of the console it sits on. I just hope, Matthew is home when it happens so he knows it was the dog and not one of the kids playing ball in the house!!! 

     I recorded Bella watching TV recently; Hogzilla to be exact.  Has anyone seen it??  Interesting right; NOT!!! Some of these shows about myth monsters are pretty cool but I must say this one was just stupid.  Turns out it was basically a farmpig on steroids, but it looked like a mutant wildebeast or something. It was UGLY!!!  Bella wanted it for lunch.  This was the first time she actually launched herself at the TV.  I screamed and tripped over my own feet jumping off the couch to grab her.  She tried to bite the TV thinking it was the Pig's throat.  She really thought she could attack it.  Again, who faceplanted - not the DOG!!!!  Fortunately, when I hit the floor and the expletives flew out of my mouth, the dog took notice and stopped short of the screen in mid-snap. After that we decided to see if she would have the same reaction if we put it on again and this time had Bella safely in her pen... Same reaction without me hitting the floor. 

   Unfortunately for our cat Suzie, Bella finds prey in the house out of frustration.  The cat becomes the hunted when Bella can't get a turkey or deer.  Good thing the furball is pretty smart.  She has found hiding places in this house that I would have never thought of.  This is not always good for me though.  This morning was a perfect example.  Wild turkeys were driving Bella battie so she goes after the cat and the cat runs like Hell.  I figure I'm not going to see the cat now for a few hours.  Brie says, "Uh, there goes Suzie again.  She better run fast or Bella's gonna eat her."  I guess the five year old is convinced the dog will indeed eat the cat.  I'm still not sure and they do curl up together at night to sleep so I think the cat may be safe; at least for now. 

     I am going about my business getting the house picked up, and am going to go take my shower.  I open the door and reach to switch on the faucet.  Suddenly there is something smacking my hand and there are two furry things wrapped around my forearm hissing.  OMG!! What the hell is in the shower???  I rip my arm away expecting to see a bloody stump, but my cat flies by me heading for the door.  Whew Wee - DECLAWED!!!!  Jesus!!! Could you hide somewhere else please.  She had been sitting on one of the seats in the shower so the dog couldn't find her.  I guess when I reached to turn on the water, she freaked.  Welcome to my world kitty kat!!! 
    
     For the most part, Bella is a good dog.  She is absolutely wonderful with little kids; Brie in particular but our nephew came over to play today and she proved again why I love her like one of my own kids even though she is obviously crazy!!!  Joshua and Bella curled up on the couch and napped together today.  It was so absolutely adorable.  Bella growled at Bear in the Big Blue House on TV for about 10 minutes when she awoke but Joshua assured her Bear wasn't real while he patted her head and calmed her down.  At least this time, she didn't lunge at the TV just spoke her mind about the big bear.  Joshua proceeded to give her some dog treats while I covertly changed the channel.  All is well once again with the Big Blue DOG in the Big Blue House!!!! 

Stay tuned... 

    

That Time of the Month

     Well it has been awhile since Bella and I have had anything to report to her fans.  She made it through her first Heat without tearing anyone's throat out, she didn't ruin the furniture and she has stopped sounding like Chewbacca.  My pup is back to normal and actually seems to have mellowed out a bit; just a little bit mind you.  She is still very loving and affectionate, fiercely protective of me and Brianna when we go to the park, and still loves to get Glazed Munchkins at Dunkin Donuts every morning.  The only problem I've seen so far, is having been locked up for three weeks and not being able to go for her daily walk, has set us back a bit on loose leash walking.  I think it would be wise to invest in rollerblades to keep up with her now.  She has decided a steady trot while biting the leash and working on ripping it out of my hands is our new routine.  If I don't let go or pull on the choker in time, she is up on her hind legs wacking me in the face as a way of telling me she wants me to let go.  I'm hoping the scratches from last week don't scar.  It is quite comical to witness if you're not the one holding the leash.  Unfortunately, I'm always holding the damn leash!!

   After our first walk, we headed to Petco which was nearly disastrous.  I have now discovered after 4 or 5 trips that Bella no longer wishes to have her nails filed.  The poor girls at Petco have decided that my poor dog needs to be muzzled from now on because baring her teeth and snapping is rather intimidating for them and apparently does not fall under The Good Dog Code of Ethics.  I have a wooden spoon at home that I bring out when she gets out of hand, all I have to do is whack it on the counter and tell her to go in her pen and she goes.   I'm not so sure the girls would think it would be appropriate to use as a training tool.  I'm thinking Bella may take it away from them and spank one of them with it anyway.  She has tried taking it out of my hand more than once or if its left on the counter, I've caught her trying to commandeer it and get rid of it herself.

   It took two techs to hold her down to file her nails and when she saw me, she dragged one of them  across the room with a bunch of people staring in disbelief as the poor girl careened into the door.  I felt terrible but it was hilarious.  It looked like a cartoon with the poor girl flying through the air at the end of the leash.  I actually found a bumper sticker for our truck with this very same silhouette.  She was laughing so hard when we got the dog under control that I thought she may pee her pants.  Her comment was "I guess I should have let go of the leash".  I said, "Yup, that would have been my choice."  This is when they decided to tell me she had to be muzzled in the future.  I suspect this may have something to do with that incident. 
    
     I guess it is back to the drawing board.  Fortunately, we only have to go through one more Heat before Bella will be able to become a mom herself.  I think I will be better prepared second time around.  I'll have earplugs ready for the kids and myself, I'll have a muzzle at the ready when we go walking, and I'll make sure there are gates setup throughout the whole house so she cannot venture onto furniture at will when I'm not looking.  "Thank Goodness for Resolve!!!"  I hope Bella doesn't hold a grudge about being confined for three weeks because when she stands on her hind legs now she is a full head taller than me and has decided now that when she wants to sit on the couch where I am, she simply grabs a pantleg and pulls until I move out of her way.  I guess being female and having now gone through puberty she'll be more like a moody teenager than a cranky little kid.  Lord help us all; the attitude has grown and so has the dog!!  Check back soon.  Thanks for reading.  


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Do Dogs Have PMS Too???

Oh my poor Bella.  She has not been very social for a couple of days.  We have skipped the park and she doesn't even want her Dunkin Donuts Munchkins... Because of her mood, I'm not getting my much needed exercise which is making me not very social either.  She's been lying in her pen ignoring the home populous for two days now.  I was starting to think my pup may be depressed.  For the life of me I couldn't figure out why until this morning.  OMG!!  My baby is in HEAT!!! 

According to experts; there are three stages of this doggy menstrual cycle.  She is in the "spotting" stage called Proestrus.  I knew it would happen but as a mom you don't want to have that talk or deal with the thought of your kid having kids.  My Bella is not ready for puppies and neither am I.  Even though the thought of 10 or 12 little Bella's running around is sweet, I'd lose my freakin' mind!!  So would she.  I have limited her access to the entire house; a beige couch is not conducive to this particular situation.  She is comfortable but not liking only 2 rooms to hang out in.  It's really making her incorrigible.  She's been whining at me and speaking her mind since we woke up this morning.  Enough already!!!  Bella sounds like Chewbacca when she gets upset.  I feel bad, but it's so funny to hear.  My son thought I was watching one of the Star Wars movies today.  I said "No, it's just Bella complaining again".  I told my husband and he suggested I give her my Pamprin.  Hmmm... men think they're funny when it is just not so.

My poor spoiled Bella...She is very upset and if she was able to, I think she'd call my husband and plead her case.  I know she wants to file a complaint against me with PetCo.  The girls there love Bella and I'm thinking they may be on her side suggesting a blanket over the couch or something.  However, I'm not having it!!  I looked into Doggie Diapers but then I read somewhere that for a dog of her size, Depends are a better route to take.  I'm sorry but I cannot picture my Bella in a diaper.  It seems like she'd be very against this idea too.  She is a very dignified young lady and I cannot see myself trying to put a damn diaper on her.  I believe I may get away without actual puncture wounds, but I think there may be some serious lacerations on my person by the time we were done.  I'd also be afraid my son would be trying to videotape the whole incident and put us on YouTube.  He thinks my pain is comedic material.  TEENAGERS!!!

Oh well, according to these experts the next stage is the one I really need to worry about; Estrus.  This is when she is going to be trying to sneak out and see all the boys in the neighborhood.  I'm not sure if it is a coincidence or not, but there was a brown and white Pitbull at the end of my driveway today.  He appeared to be looking all innocent out for a stroll but I'm thinking he may have been looking for my girl.  "Sorry man. She's not your type.  Go home."  That's what I wanted to tell him but he had some seriously big teeth and I decided I would just let him go on his way.  I know male dogs can be quite persistent when trying to hook up on these occasions so I'm keeping Bella under lock and key. 

I''m hoping this Proestrus only lasts a few days.  The estimated time for the "spotting" stage is 4 to 7 days.  After that she is super flirty and will need a chastity belt against all her potential suitors.  The last stage is Anestrus which is what I'm looking forward to.  That is when the spotting is done, her amourous thoughts will be gone and she'll simply have good ole PMS like the rest of us females!!  Then her attitude will be "Leave me the hell alone".  For Bella this terrible cycle won't return for another 6 to 7 months.  Blessed Be!!!!

Unfortunately for males of our species, this cycle hits us once a month!!  "Everyone, please say a prayer for my Bella."  She will get through this turmoil and become a woman soon.  Maybe in a year or two we will let her actually date one of her admirers which could lead to a loving relationship.  At that point we can enjoy 10 or 12 little Bella's running around.   But for now, I have to wear earplugs to bed because Chewbacca is in the house!!!!!!!

The Dog Walks Me

     It's been awhile since Bella and I sat down to discuss future posts.  Believe it or not, she has some definite input on what I am allowed to share with the world.  I'm not allowed to talk about her fear of rugs, her lack of warning until someone is already at the door, her dislike for hats of any kind and her dislike of the Sodastream machine.   It's absolutely hilarious to see a dog try to wrestle with a vacuum also...(Bella is growling so I don't think she wanted me to reveal that)... I'm just saying.
     We have taken on a new endeavor.  The dog has started walking me every afternoon while Brie is at school.  It is a halfhearted effort on my part to lose the 30 "love pounds" I've gained so far in this blessed union with my husband Matthew.  At this rate I better not stay married for more than 10 years or I'm going to be on one of those intervention shows for not being able to fit through the damn door.  It cracks me up how so many people say "So what you've gained a few pounds, he loves you for you".  Yes, well we'll see how far that goes if I get heavier than him!!! I will avoid that with Bella's help.  Since I plan on staying married to this man until the day I take my last breath I better get the diet train on track!!
     It is impossible to walk this 100 lb monster of a pup without a choke chain.  I was thoroughly against them until I got dragged across the yard a few times on my butt trying to hold her back.  Now the choke chain is a gift from the big puppy Gods.  I use a double handle leash which serves us well.  It is helping her learn not to zig zag in front of me and I can guide her back to my side where she is still learning to walk in a straight line.  We did invest in an Easy walk harness thingymagiggie but if my husband isn't home I cannot figure out how to put it on the dog.  As embarrassing as this may be, technologically advanced I am not.  The harness is still rather large for her anyway.   She hasn't grown into her "girth" yet.  She is more like a Greyhound than a Great Dane.  Hopefully, no supermodels read my blog and get offended but I call her my starving supermodel because she is absolutely gorgeous but too skinny in my opinion. All the experts say she is perfect so I can't argue with the Vets but I'd like to see her put some meat on her bones.  I guess after about another year she'll start to fill out. 
     I'm discovering how nice it is to walk with Bella as long as no one comes near us.  There are some interesting characters in our travels.  The trenchcoat man was no way getting near this dog.  She turned into KUJO and was actually foaming at the mouth to try and get a better look at him.  How embarrassing when you're dog is so obvious about how creepy someone is.  I have to admit I wanted to study his face to see if maybe he was on an episode of America's Most Wanted or Cops.  If we see him again, I will be sure to walk her in the grass on the opposite side near the river.  That way I can tackle her to the ground in the grass instead of on the pavement.   That really hurts.  Another person who caught Bella's attention was a nice older woman who seemed very nice and really wanted to pet Bella.  She would have been able to if not for the flowerpot-looking hat on her head.  It seems she was making a fashion statement of some sort, but since I'm not up on trends, I was unaware of what that statement was.  Nonetheless, Bella didn't like the hat at all and started growling and trying to jump on the poor woman!  I believe she only wanted to tear the hat to shreds, not the woman, but I will have to find a chew toy that looks like that hat.  It would keep her busy for a day or two.  Again, next time we see her, we'll be walking in the grass near the river.  We will have to see what tomorrow's walk brings.  It is supposed to be in the mid 60s so there will probably be quite a few potential hazards at the park tomorrow.  We'll have to see....