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Mom says I am am infamous counter surfer. She and Dad watch their food carefully when cooking, eating or putting groceries away. Although I am trained, I am still unreliable in this area. I once stole cookie dough while Mom turned on the oven. Well, this would happen if Mom iced a cake when I were around!
Instead of icing the cake, I would de-ice the cake! Ummm, yummy! I could almost taste it now! Better run, I can guess what Mom would say…
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Uncategorized
Dear Santa, have I got a story to tell you. And it is not my fault. The goldendoodle and I had a play date. It was a lovely snowy day. So we went outside to enjoy the day! And this is part of the story.
Just because I have better aim, Santa, there is no picture of me…and the darn doodle is crying foul! Well, here is how I feel about it!
I bet Mrs. Claus is on my side. Just ask her. And, Santa, I really don’t want to stay on the naughty list all the way til Christmas!!! You know me better than that, Santa!
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Helping Mom, Home, Humor
We had a wonderful time in Mrs. Ames Science class yesterday! We are studying about the earth and one of the properties we investigated was “density”. Our students were so good during our lab investigation! They had a tub of water, a vial and twenty five pennies. They had to float the vial, suspend the vial and sink the vial and then compare the information in terms of density of water. It is pretty involved, right? The kids did a super job and did some excellent thinking. Then Mrs. Ames did a demonstration on Nutrasweet and sugar showing that the same amount of sweetener could have different densities. She showed the different amounts of sweeteners that sweetened soft drinks in zip lock bags, but made them equally sweet, and then showed that the one with sugar was denser because it had more mass. Mom also learner that the chemical components of Nutrasweet are the same as formaldehyde – just in a different order. Guess what she is not drinking any more!
The kids really needed me during this lesson. There was a lot of movement and unstructured time while working and time to pat me. I got lots of pats because the students found this lesson and the follow questions hard and they got frustrated at times. Mom and Mrs. Ames guided them and gave them hints but would not tell them answers. The kids needed me more than ever and it was a good day to be there for them. At the end of the day, both classes had their best days ever and were very proud!! And that is a snapshot of our science lab day!
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Classroom, collaboration, School, Students, Therapy Dog, Volunteering
Is Mom into “dog shaming”? Does she not realize that I am a Diva Dog, a proud Newfoundland, and a working service dog? I know that some therapy dogs dress up, but really, Mom, not me!!! I cannot imagine what the kids will say when they see me if you actually put these on me and we go to school.,.
I know it is the right season, but couldn’t I have a cute pink Santa hat with the my title, “Princess”, on it? Or I could just wear my Diva crown. I like that!!
Oh, Mom! Please, don’t shame me with the reindeer gear!!!
Dear readers, please comment to help sway Mom! Get me out of this! I at least need a “Princess” Santa hat instead!!
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Classroom, Goofy Newfie, Home, Humor, School, Service Dog, Students, Therapy Dog, Volunteering
Mom and I were reading funny memes while she was drinking hot chocolate after our walk. It was a good cuddle time. I found the best meme! It may not look like me, but it is my twin! No matter where someone is in our home, if there is a wrapper that krinkles, I think “food”, and hustle to that place to investigate! I am motivated, you know!
Yes, that is me… In spirit!
Are you like that about wrappers?
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Oh, Christmas Tree! It is time to decorate you!! But before we do that, Mom and Dad gather us pups and give the annual speech about Christmas tree etiquette. They want to make certain that we treat a Christmas tree differently than a regular tree. LOL
First, Mom reminds us about the story of Christmas and some of her special ornaments which have been handed down from family members. This angel was given to her by her great grandmother!
We do not want to knock those off with our tails!
Then Mom reminds us that the cool blinking lights are not toys for dogs and that we are not to grab them like we do our laser lights.
Additionally, Mom reminds us that this Christmas Tree is different than all other trees, no matter what thoughts may dance through our heads.
She told us she needs no help caring for the tree unlike the silly dogs in this cartoon.
Finally, Mom told us that we are not to sniff, scratch, wiggle, or explore the wrapped boxes and bags placed under the tree. Is she trying to torture us!?!? And then she put up the gate to keep us out! Oh, Christmas Tree, you are so pretty and you have such good things underneath you! We just want to visit you! We cannot wait until Christmas!!!
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Helping Mom, Home, Humor
What is this “Elf on the Shelf” business? I really do not understand it. Does Santa send an elf to watch over children during December and give them extra treats if they are good? Does he disappear if they break a rule? I want an “Elf on the Shelf”, too! Is there one for dogs?
Look what he did this morning for one of my little friends!
But he left this for another set of my friends 😦
I wonder if the “Elf on the Shelf” reports to Santa for the “Naughty or Nice” list! Oh my! I am in a quandary. Do I want one or not? I think I do! How about you? Would you like an “Elf on the Shelf”?
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Last night, Mom and Dad began their annual letters to Santa Claus. They write letters and mail them and always keep a copy to share and read to see how things have changed from year to year. It is one of their traditions. I thought I needed to write a Santa letter, too, and I am sharing it here.
Dear Santa,
I have been my usual goofie Newfie self this year. I have done lots of volunteering with my middle school kids and with wounded soldiers and it has gone very, very well. I am sorry about the ravioli incident and my begging for food- it just smells sooo good. Overall, Mom and Dad agree I am a very good girl.
I wanted to ask for a few things for Christmas. First, there are are lots of dogs still in rescue. Could you help some of them find good home by Christmas? This is how they feel!
I remember feeling like that one Christmas… And then Mom and Dad finally adopted me in March. Please Santa, this would be wonderful if you could help adopt some dogs for Christmas!
My brother, Matt, is playing football for WKU.
Our whole family is excited about the team playing in a bowl game. Do you keep players safe and help them win? If so, that is on my wish list Santa!
And last but not least, could you please, please, please bring treats? These are my favorites and Mom approves of them but I like any treats!
And Santa, please don’t forget Dash and Jack ! They deserve Christmas treats, too. Thank you so much!
Love,
Bella
And that was my Santa letter. Are you and your humans writing one?
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Helping Mom, Home, Service Dog, Therapy Dog
This is the true tale of Jack Frost, who is not a character in a movie or an elf that frosts the trees and ground. It is the story of a little white Bichon Frise and how he came to live with us. Yes, live with us!!
As you know, I am a lovely diva somewhat up in years…I am seven and that is a respectable age for a working Newfie. Mom, Dad and I had a serious talk that we needed to spend time training the pup that would eventually follow in my paw prints. After all, I have some pretty large paws to fill, LOL. So Mom has been looking for a dog with great temperament and a need for a home – like my past. Last week she ran across an ad and when she spoke to Ms. J, our family was chosen to be the new home for a seven month old Bichon Frise puppy that is being called Jack Frost. He needed a new home because his elderly owner could not keep up with an energetic puppy – just as my previous elderly owner could not handle my big Newfie needs. Our stories are sooo similar. So Jack is coming to be part of the family and learn to do what I do: help Mom and help kids.
Here is the first picture we saw of Jack
When we met him on Saturday, Jack was an awesome little guy! He had good manners with our “guard” cats. He was not intimidated by the size of Dash or me. (Jack is only 14 pounds.) He did a great job learning to walk on a leash and he is good in a crate. We are going to like him. Jack is going to learn many thing from me. Tomorrow I think Mom should start with sit, down and under! I will model them – as long as I get treats!
And that is the real tale of Jack Frost!
Isn’t it exciting?
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Goofy Newfie, Home, Service Dog, Therapy Dog, Working Dogs
Mom and Dad have started their annual Christmas preparations. They start with a big housecleaning and decorating. Mom started to panic when she realized that
Not only is Santa coming but all the kids and the first grandchild is coming. This is going to be a extra special Christmas this year!! Does that mean extra special gifts for Dash and me? We service dogs have really worked hard for Mom this year! I hope so!!!
Since we live in the country, we have a silly outdoor wreath that is the first decoration that we traditionally hang.
Out comes the “sleigh” full of carols and music! The air is full of Christmas sounds while we work.
Then Mom and Dad wrapped up presents. There were some that smelled especially yummy that just might be for us. They put them in a room where we could not sniff them or explore them. I was rather bummed out. I could not read the pretty tags on them either. Mom giggled at my attempts to figure out the presents!!
Twenty – five days is going to be a long time to wait but Mom says it is going to fly by! What do you think?
Woofs and wags,
Bella
Posted in Home, Service Dog, Working Dogs
Bella, My BFF 