Holiday Dog Shaming!!

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

Naughty or Nice, Oh My!

The Naughty or Nice List is coming out soon! Oh, my! Santa is up to his ears collecting information and we are a little worried. Which list will we be on?

I have not tampered with the computer.

Nor eaten large and expensive objects.

I have not given children bad dreams by playing with their toys in my own way.

And I did not do this…

I do not think I should be on the Naughty List!!
Dear Santa, please consider that I have worked over three hundred and fifty hours volunteering in the classroom with my kids this year as a therapy dog. And I still help Mom as a service dog. I even won an award for all my work this year. Santa, won’t you puhleeze put me on the Nice List? I have been a good girl this year!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Letter to Santa

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

The Tale of Jack Frost!

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

25 Days: Oh My!

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

Happy Thanksgiving!

The holiday season is upon us. Mom has started her tradition of thirty days of “thankfulness” during which she posts a short note each day about something for which she is thankful. One day she mentioned Dash and me!! But today is the big day for Thankfulness in the human world: Thanksgiving! Families get together to spend time, eat, and remember their blessings! Did I mention eat? That is my favorite part, of course. The adults know not to feed me but there is a magical table with tiny people who throw food at me. It is like they read my mind. I try to spend as much time there as possible – without Mom catching me. It is like Disneyland for dogs!

So as we start this holiday season, I am thankful that we begin with a kids table at Thanksgiving! And to all of you,

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Morning Workout!

Our Morning Workout is very important! Mom has started doing yoga, walking, and jogging so that she can run a half marathon next year. That is a big goal. Dash joins her for some of her workouts. Me, I have my own routine. Here are some pictures:

It is simple but effective for me. Do you like my routine? Let me know!!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

In The Spotlight

This month I am “In The Spotlight”! My success story of rescue to going home with Mom & Dad to become a pet, service and therapy dog is on the home page of the Save A Mutt Shelter – but we all know I am not a mutt, I am a diva Newfie! Anyway, I am very thankful that they found a great home for me ( and Mom and Dad are too!!) and we wanted to share the Spotlight article and SAMS awesome work with you! Do check them out, please and thank you.

Isn’t it awesome?!?!?

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Looking with Awareness

November is Diabetes Awareness Month! It is a subject near and dear to my heart since I was affected by gestational diabetes and am currently affected by hypoglycemia. My brother has Type 1 Diabetes. Several other family member have diabetes. It is a disease that affects us and we want a cure. My service dog, Dash, can detect my low blood sugars.
These two doodles by Lex give a great illustration of highs and lows as experienced by one person- but they are similar to symptoms experienced by most people. The Lows…

The Highs…

Education is key. Knowing the signs and symptoms of diabetes and talking to your doctor is important!
If you would like a peek into the life of a student with diabetes who does not let the disease stand in her way and as a bonus has a DAD (diabetic alert dog), I highly recommend reading and following, A Guardian Angel For Stella.
For your health and the health of those you love!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

My Life in Snapshots!

Mom keeps in touch with Karen and the agency from which she adopted me, SAMS via Facebook. Everyone is very proud that I am not only a great pet but a service and therapy dog. Karen asked Mom if SAMS could share my success story on their website and of course Mom said yes. You will have to go to their website to read the story but we are sharing my life in snapshots here!

Those are some of the many faces of Bella.

Officially me!

Taking care of Mom!

Therapy dog duties!
And that gives you a sample of my life in snapshots!
What do you think?

Woofs and wags,
Bella