Two Months with Miss Bella.

We brought her home at 8 weeks on March 29th, 2012. Been two months since then, and already she seems like so much a part of the family, we're trying to remember just what life was like without her.

                                              Initially, she'd stay within view, curl up at the base of the stairs and calmly drift off to sleep, as all good little puppies should.

But it wasn't long before she realized that, just a few steps away, there existed the vast expanse of a second floor.

Soon, at every opportunity, she was scampering off to explore.


Which meant an el pronto trip to Petsmart by the People-In-Charge. To acquire a pen, a cage, or whatever you want to call it. No free-roaming four-legged friends for me.

Restraint in the confines of a pen hasn't gone over too well with Miss Bella. She relentlessly examines every nook and cranny for an escape route. And has, on occasion, fled to freedom. Hence the treats are kept readily accessible in the event of a breakout. And you should see the break-neck speed at which she returns to the kitchen, as soon as she hears those yummies rattling in the bag.

She is loved. Gets in trouble with these two from time to time, but worms her way back into their hearts, and knows she is loved unconditionally.

She seeks out slippers. And shoes. And socks.

And delights in sniffing and licking those ten lower digits.

A pastime regarded with a great deal of disdain by two of my daughters-in-law.

But I say it's just another perspective of feet-washing.

Just kidding.

We're working on her manners in that department.

Little Miss Bella's current weight is just shy of 5 lbs. When the girls bathe her, she sure looks like a scrawny little thing! Her thick, fluffy coat is deceiving. You can see she's in dire need of a trip to the groomer for an all-over puppy-cut. Will have to schedule that soon.

She knows how to sit, stay and lie down.
Good puppy.
Good, scruffy puppy.

However, I think we've gone through a whole bag of treats to merely accomplish those few feats. The girls seem to think that since she only speaks Dog, her immediate compliance to any one of these commands in English means she is beyond brilliant. And that, in itself, warrants five doggie treats at a time. Not just one.

Time for some food restrictions around here.

Story of my life, story of my life.