Bella Donna

She is So Content!

2012-01-28T17:54:00.003-06:00

Lil' Bell loves shopping in her sling....She is in heaven!

She is Feeling Photogenic

2011-12-30T16:46:00.001-06:00

Bella is on a roll!

Finally after 50 pictures!

2011-12-27T13:45:00.004-06:00

Finally, Bella let me take one good picture out of 50!

Bella Celebrated Her 3rd Birthday

2011-04-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Bella!

She looks thrilled doesn't she?. She hates that hat but she endures it to humor her mommy~ She is a constant joy and her personality is unique. She is our pride and joy~

Bella - Snug As a Bug

2011-02-04T10:11:00.000-06:00

Bell Bell

2010-11-14T20:34:00.001-06:00

Bella With Her New Do

2010-08-08T16:04:00.002-05:00

Our Baby Girl Turned 2 on 22Mar10

2010-04-08T20:43:00.004-05:00

Our Bell Bell....

2010-01-25T14:17:00.001-06:00

Namaste....I Wish

2009-07-29T22:01:00.009-05:00

After a run, some ab exercises and free weights, I was so looking forward to my relaxing, inspirational yoga tape with Rodney Yee. I unroll my mat and all of a sudden I hear the pitter patter of paws romping down the hall. Bella appears into the room with the look of, "Is it play time????”

I unroll the mat and Bell decides to wrestle with it as I am desperately trying to lay it flat. She jumps on top of it, rolls underneath it and proceeds to ~~play~~ chew with the velcro straps. Finally, it is on the floor BUT it's not straight..it's crooked. My friends know how anal I am and I cannot let it lie. I move the mat very slowly with my foot but noooo, Bella thinks that's just another invitation to attack it.

Finally, I am ready to go.....I am going through the tape with no trouble until Rodney calmly instructs me to lie down onto the mat. I am thinking, “Oh joy! If I can only finish the rest of this tape with little interference from Bella…..I may feel relaxed and refreshed like Rodney assured me in the beginning of the tape."

Now picture this, if you will…my eyes are closed and I am lying on my back in the relaxation poise. My legs, hands, and arms are restful and “purposeful” (Rodney uses this word a lot in the tape). I am listening to his inspirational words and performing my deep breathing exercises. I am thinking, "This is great. I am calm, relaxed, my eyes are “soft” (he says that a lot too) I am so in the groove!"

So, I open my eyes and perfect, just perfect….there’s Bell from hell (all 8 pounds of her) staring down at me nose to nose.

She precedes to attack my face, licking my eye sockets, nose - every inch of exposed flesh. I am thrashing my head back and forth trying to move away from her. Well, what Rodney fails to tell you is, “How on earth can one be relaxed and “purposeful” when you have a dog licking you to death, wrestling with your arms, nipping at your hands and pouncing on your stomach.

Next thing I know, Rodney is in the sitting position, putting his hands together in prayer mode and chanting “Namaste.” Great, just peachy…. It’s the end of the tape. Thanks Bell.

As I Sit Here

2009-07-01T17:03:00.004-05:00

As I sit here writing about Bella on this blog, my little puppy is sitting on my lap with her head resting on my laptop. What a cutie! We have now have had her for a full year and what joy she has brought into our lives. She has such a personality and truly loves human contact.

She recently starting "stalking" us. She hides around the corner and slowly and deliberately prowls in slow motion towards us like a cat. When she gets close enough she runs full speed and leaps into my husband's lap. From there they play and have a grand ol' time... I have tried taping her but the video is always to dark. I will keep trying because it is a total trip watching her and it is a sight to see.

Do you have a story to share on what your pet does that is just totally weird or unusual?

Bella's New Do

2009-04-18T13:21:00.002-05:00

We took Bella to the "Spa" for her summer cut...What a Pretty Girl!

Happy 18th Birthday

2009-04-04T08:00:00.003-05:00

I know, this is suppose to be about Bell, Bell, but I wanted to post about my husband. My best friend, my husband of 28 years, celebrates his 18th heart transplant birthday today, 04Apr09. We have been so fortunate to have celebrated so many years, especially since the doctors told us initially, the life expectancy of most heart transplant recipients is 5 years. He lives on borrowed time and the below poem was written for him.

my life is his

waking up to his warm breath and soft touch-
his butterfly kisses-
dancing in the kitchen-
the scent of his cologne-

his reassuring touch leading me through life as a young woman and unto the same woman 28 years later-

his lips brushing ever so softly upon the nape of my neck-
his fingers gliding tenderly, caressing my hair-
his patience when I am in self-doubt-
his kindness and generosity-

his knowing of my insecurities and gently guiding and building each fragile layer into the woman I know I can be-

his humorous snippets of songs created just for me-
his pet names throughout the years-
his arms embracing me, comforting me-
his persistent urging to see the world as it may be-

his never-ending belief in me when I struggle with my inner-self and the complexities of the outside world-

his subtle preparation for what is to come-
his ambitious drive to open my eyes to the endless possibilities of life-
molding into his body as if we were meant to be-
lying down to sleep next to him-

his wisdom-
his practicality-
his laugh-
his dreams-
his love-

my life is his-

I love you B-

Happy Birthday Bella!

2009-03-22T12:50:00.004-05:00

Today, we are celebrating Bella's 1st birthday. We had a doggie cookie cake and cookie, party hat, a few balloons, and of course two more stuffed toys to add to her HUGE collection...Pfffff, she's not spoiled~

Happy Birthday Bell!

Four Paws of Terror

2009-03-12T17:11:00.003-05:00

Yep, minding my own business and I have freaktoid here running around in circles, nipping at my feet. You would think this dog would take a hint. How many times to I have to say "No, Bell, No"?

I do have to admit... she is a trip and what a personality! I will be adding some update photos soon. Now, if I can only get her to stay still for a few minutes...

Things A' Changin'

2009-01-16T12:22:00.005-06:00

Over the holidays and in order to give B some peace and quiet, we started "Nap Time". "Nap Time" is from 12:00 - 3:00 and let me tell you, Bella is not a happy camper. She acts like she is being tortured. The idea that she cannot be glued to us (at that time) is something she is not happy about....She yelps, howls, cries, you name it, she does it.

Funny thing is, she still has not figured out that all that squealing does not accomplish anything...."Nap Time" is here to stay. What a character this dog is - she is one animal who believes that "Me, Me, Me" rules the household.

Oh, give me patience.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-12T18:33:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-10T18:28:00.005-06:00

This is not a happy puppy dog.....needless to say this hat, lasted long enough to take a photo...I say this is payback for all the hell she causes.

~What Goes Around Comes Around~

Happy Turkey Day

2008-11-27T16:53:00.003-06:00

Well, Bella's stomach is full of tasty Thanksgiving delights and she is racing around trying to catch her tail. On Monday, Bella went in for her 8 month comprehensive exam and she weighed a whooping 6.8 pounds. I am happy to say she is as fit as a fiddle! We also purchased her Xmas outfit for this year's Xmas card...(B already feels embarassed for her!) I cannot wait to start photographing her...I will make sure to post some pictures of her once I can get her to settle down a bit~

You Will Be Missed, Riley and Cici

2008-11-14T10:13:00.021-06:00

A friend of mine just lost Cici (of seven months)...and another friend lost Riley (of 8 years), a couple of weeks ago. Both Riley and Cici entered their world providing unconditional love and affection. As for their untimely passing - may fond memories of your beloved pet warm your heart always. I am so sorry for your loss D and B~

Please visit Riley's Spirit By Bayn
~You are gonna need a tissue~

"...what we have enjoyed, we can never lose ... all that we love deeply becomes a part of us."
(Helen Keller)

Endearing Pet Names

2008-10-30T09:15:00.005-05:00

Well, Bella is a trip. Every day she enlightens us with her spastic evening runs - running like a mad woman up, down and around the house, chasing her tail...(what is up with that!) and constantly wanting human touch. She may as well be glued to us...oh, she would be thrilled with that. Over the past 7 months, she has earned a few endearing pet names such as:

Bucktooth, little bimbo - this, I have to get a picture of soon
Turdblossom
PiTA (Pain in The A#%)
Everyone Favorite Nightmare
Little Bell from Hell

I am sure she will earn quite a few more names - more soon to come!

She is Out of the Dog House...For Now!

2008-10-21T15:44:00.006-05:00

So far so good - Bella went to the molding then quickly retreated when she saw Poppy... For the past few days she has been good. Oh, forgot, she pooped on the kitchen floor. What's up with that? I cannot figure her out.....I know, I know, she is still a puppy (only 7 months old).

Not a Happy Camper!

2008-10-15T11:55:00.004-05:00

Well, Bella finally did it...She chewed on the corner of the floor molding last night. She was reprimanded and sent to her crate for the evening. This morning she was timid and tentative and we thought....Hey, maybe she learned her lesson.

Then guess what...she did it again!!! My husband did not hear her for a minute this morning...went around the corner...and there she was, nibbling on the molding. Needless to say, she was sent to her room to think about her actions….How much do you want to bet she does it again…Anyone want a dog?

First Baby Tooth

2008-09-15T19:32:00.003-05:00

Little Bell lost her first baby tooth tonight. She placed it neatly in her tooth pouch in hopes she will get a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

She May Not be the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer But She is Most Certainly Cute!

2008-09-14T09:21:00.003-05:00

Our Litttle Girl's 1st Venture (aka A Walk)

2008-09-03T18:21:00.004-05:00

With the wind blowing in her fur, our Bella was a "big girl". We did not go far but she made sure to sniff every blade of grass, bark at every blowing leaf, and wagged her tail at assorted passer-bys.

Our Little Girl is Not So....Little Any More!

2008-08-30T08:14:00.008-05:00

Well, our little girl had her girlie parts snipped yesterday. We are happy to say that she is doing fine and full of piss and vinegar and at this very moment biting Poppy's fingers....

When we asked her what she thought about her surgery...this is what she had to say:

and that is all!

Look How Much She Has Grown!

2008-07-11T11:13:00.004-05:00

The Tired Bella

2008-07-08T15:52:00.005-05:00

We had to take this picture of Bella. When she is ready to crash...she will literally sleep in your hands...What a cutie!

2008-07-01T18:16:00.002-05:00

Our Bella

2008-07-01T15:11:00.004-05:00

Bella's First Bath

"NO"

2008-06-23T10:48:00.000-05:00

Bella loves biting your hands, arm, neck, face, legs, ankles, etc…she has the sharpest teeth. The word “NO” is becoming quite a prevalent word around here! The sound of an envelope on her nose seems to do the trick…not to say, she hasn’t had a few moments of relapse.

Potty Training
Let’s just say, we are working on her potty training. B is so patient with her….Bella is such a smart puppy and it will be just a matter of time. She did have her first night of not wetting her bed…I know, I know, it has only been her third night in her new home…but I am optimistic…..

Our First Outing

2008-06-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

Bella entered PetsMart, on Saturday morning, with a sparkle in her eye – She was being lavished with toys and the attention of other pet owners. What an exiting moment!!! Then (this is where you hear suspenseful music) we saw the vet clinic…..I do not know who was more unsettled visiting the vet...Bella or B. Poor Bella had to endure the temperature and fecal exam and B was right there feeling her anguish. Next, came the “shot”. With a quick growl from Bella and an overly compassionate moment from B, the remaining shots were postponed until another day. Needles to say, we quickly exited the establishment with a toy booty in hand…plus nine other toys, new bedding, collar and bell, treat, doggy bowls and a kangaroo pouch not to mention the other toys, B purchased on night number one…. She not gonna be spoiled? When came home, Bella slept in B’s hand/arm traumatized from the ordeal….only to make up for it that night and next morning…full of spunk and spirit…..

This is Bella after her ordeal to the vet~

New Addition to Our Family

2008-06-21T13:26:00.000-05:00

We would like to introduce, to you, a new addition to our family...Bella (formally know as Penny). Only 3 months old, 2.8 lbs, part Chihuahua part Schnauzer, Bella is a fireball - full of energy!

Six years ago, we lost Max the Dog (Maxine)...our pup of 17 years. While no pet may ever replace Max, we made the decision to (finally) begin looking for a new puppy...agreeing to wait until the right one came along. Lo and behold the stars aligned and, prescribing to the phrase "If it's meant to be, It's meant to be"...."Meant to Be" came a knockin".

Through a contact of a friend (Riley the Dogs' person), we were introduced to then "Penny" by her current owner C.M. - whom by the way, is an exceptional technology specialist and unbeknownst to Riley the Dog's person, I am working on an undercover covert mission to "steal" her away from him!

Within a couple of hours, I was introduced to Bella, fell in love with her and escorted her to her new home. The next hurdle, was the husband, "B". The meeting was rapid and direct...It took Bella all but 30 seconds to break down...he, who was once the stone wall!

It has been but one day and, already, Bella has brought much joy into our lives....CM...thank you!

Bella's New Parents