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

Veterans Day!

On November 11th, we honor those individuals, our soldiers, who with courage, tenacity and their very lives defend our rights and freedoms. These men and women protect us and our way of life.

Some four legged and two legged teams participate in serving our country.

Mom and I as a team try to give back many times during the year at veterans events. But today we are posting our thank you! Mom and I are thankful for our men and women in uniform, those past, present and future!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Working It Out

A minor miracle occurred this week! While Mom and I were volunteering doing our usual Animal Assisted Therapy in our science class, two students could not agree who would be the group leader and could not agree on which path to take for a group project. The other students in the group were passive bystanders.
I was in a down nearby listening to the students discussion when suddenly the students decided to come and talk to me!

They both greeted me and agreed that they would take turns telling me who should be leader and why. Each student spoke and the other listened intently. I listened. Then both boys began to pat me.

After a few moments of patting and silence, one boy said, “You can be leader but I think my idea is still better”. The other student agreed. Compromise achieved – with AAT! A minor miracle of working through it!
Just a little snapshot into our world!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Dog Tired

It was a wild day with many unexpected moments. We went to Mrs. A’s class knowing that she was going to be out sick and had requested a substitute. Mrs. A’s plans lay neatly on the desk and Mom read through them as she waited to greet the substitute. The first bell rang and students flowed through the doorway and sat at their assigned seats. The advanced placement class could be counted on to follow class rules without being told. Mom and I moved to the doorway expecting to see a substitute in the hallway. None was visible – just a sea of students. Mom decided that action was in order. She phoned Ms. C, an administrator. Twenty minutes later, a substitute arrived. Meanwhile, Mom and I started the class by taking role, explaining the task, and handing out the assignment. Then we left to visit our regularly scheduled classes. We returned to work with the substitute later in the day. This was our “challenging” class. Several students decided that they would not sit in assigned seats. Others brought no materials. Two were determined to do no work for a substitute and chose a route of disruption. A third decided that he could leave without permission. Mom and I had a very busy time working to decrease these issues and to manage the classroom. But we provided the substitute the support he needed, and the students did complete work.
When Mom and I went home we felt like this:

We were dog tired! But we love our kids and will do it all over again!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Field Trip!

Yesterday we volunteered as chaperones on a field trip for our Noe Middle School Titans Team. We rode the school bus with Ms. Ames and about sixty students to the Louisville Water Company. There we learned all about the history of water and various aspects of the Ohio river. People also learned about me. There were LOTS of SD questions and Newfie questions. We were proud of the kids because they were able to answer many of them.
Then the bus took us to Main Street and we walked to Fourth Street Live food court. Our students did a good job with being polite and following directions. They were so kind to one another and helped each other out. I went to my usual down/under and stayed there while Mom and Mrs. Ames ate. When we got up to leave, the people at the next table were shocked to find out a dog was next to them. One of the students calmly replied, “That’s Bella. She’s a service dog. She has public access to help her person”. It was a very proud moment for Mom and me. What a great field trip – in so many ways!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Autism Awareness Month

The month of April is designated as

We hope that everyone will learn more about individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Education promotes understanding and acceptance.

Dash and I are wearing the rainbow puzzle colors of Autism to show our support!

Like my bikini? Here is Dash in his cumberbund!

It doesn’t take much to accept and support!
Woofs and wags,
Bella

Oh! Monday…

Oh, Monday- you have arrived. Mom is sleeping and it is 6:40 AM. Now this is not usual. She has fed us and walked us. We have cuddled back up to her because she told us the plan for the day and none of us liked it. In fact, I put on my biggest pout and flounced out of the room when I realized that we were not going to be collaborating today, we were not going to see our kids and we were not going to school. I hate it when Mom is sick on Mondays. Here is what I feel like:

I am looking forward to a healthy Tuesday!

Woofs and wags,

Bella

Hero Reward

How do you spend your weekend? With your friends? Texting? Games? Sports? Chores? Sleeping? Mine are often exciting!
Today we went to Corydon, IN to volunteer for the Hero Reward Event.
You can learn about the organization here which provides a pawsome retreat and lodge for soldiers, police officers, and firefighters and their families who are recovering from trauma.

This was the “First Annual Event”. Pawsibilities Unleashed was invited and Mom and I were the organizers for our group. ( That means we do the calling, team selection, take care of all questions, directions, and set up/ breakdown and make sure everything goes smoothly for our group’s part in the event.)

Here is the event flyer:

When we got there…and the last 12 miles felt like two hundred into a forgotten Forrest…we were met by smiling volunteers. They unloaded Mom’s car, whisked it away to park it, and had the tent, table and chairs set up in less than ten minutes. We were quickly introduced to our helpful teens, who moved to their next task without being told. I enjoyed my pats and Mom met Rodney, who owned the property.

It was beautiful here, a lodge , a building for the Comedy Caravan Act
and Perry’s Crossing band, a shelter with rocking chairs between two ponds for fishing. There were horses somewhere to ride and the elk were safely penned up. We heard there were four-wheelers for those who were recovering. There was a wagon set up for hay rides! I could see the face painting, bounce tents, and balloon twisting for the kids. There were adults already playing corn hole. Pumpkins were piled up ready to be painted. Wood was stacked inside a ring of stones for a late night campfire. Mmmmm, I could smell good smells coming from the BBQ. Hope I get to eat some-wonder if mom will share with me? What a wonderful day was planned for everyone!

This is the guest lodge the families stay in. Mom and I thought we would like to take a nap there after dinner!

This is the shelter between the lakes . Later we watched people fishing in both lakes. Yes- they caught different kinds of fish! Mom and I don’t know much about fishing though.
My friend Sophie, a poodle, likes to fish with her daddy. She made a new friend near the pond.

Our friend, Jax, posed so well on the hayride!

Of course, when it comes to Tricks or Treats, you can count on Phonenix to put on a quick costume.

And our humans received t-shirts.

Look what flew in to meet us…

And what we got to do!

Pawsibilities Unleashed teams also posed on the fire truck. This symbolizes some hopes, dreams, and plans for Mom and me. We think this is a pawsome picture!

At the end of the day, I go home happy after a full day of treats and lovely pats. I met great people- big and little. Tonight we will sleep soundly after a job well done. I will dream of my next job! All I know is that it will be as a volunteer for Pawsibilities Unleashed!

Woofs and wags,

Bella