Thursday, April 9, 2015

All You Need is Love....and a Dog.


"I'm kind of a big deal!"


I wouldn't call myself a blogger.  I mean, I have a blog, but I rarely write in it.  It's a blog I started when my son was born. I was very good about updating my blog the first few years of my son's life.  Then, life got busy. Our son started growing up, having more playdates, then school started, then came the after school activities, which means my life got a lot busier!  I also started a full time job once my son started full time school.  Eventually, posting on the blog became less of a priority.  Plus, Facebook came along and I started using that as my "journal" or "blog."  Not a day goes by that I don't post something on Facebook about my adorable kid.  Now I have an adorable pet, so if you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you will see my kid and our dog....and not always in that order.  Anyway, I decided to start writing about our beloved pup, Bella.  Why? Because she is special.  Not only to me, but to someone else...my grandmother. (more about that later.)

When Declan turned 6, we got him a puppy. For some reason, 6 seemed like a good age for our son to be a responsible dog owner, but let me tell you...it's not.  Don't get me wrong, my son loves the dog and the dog tolerates my son but they aren't best friends. They haven't really bonded.  Why?  Because I am his dog's master.  I feed her, I walk her, I take her to the park.  It was unrealistic of me to expect a 6 year old to handle the full responsibility of a dog. Did I really expect my son to get up at 2am to let the dog out for a potty break? Nope.  I don't mind it though, because I love that little dog.  Her name is Bella.  Bella is a mini-goldendoodle.  That's right, I said mini...as in FUN SIZE!!  Everyone knows that Goldendoodles are cool.  Part retriever, part standard poodle= COOL DOG.  But say you were to put that goldendoodle in the dryer. Don't actually try this at home...it probably won't work and you will most likely get a visit from Animal Control or the Humane Society.  But what you get when you shrink down a goldendoodle, is an adorable, portable, huggable, liftable, lap sittable, energetic, take everywhere, amazing companion that is the mini-dood. Seriously, I fell in love after we found our little Bella. I remember bringing her home from the breeder and she was sitting in the back seat.  Even though she was my son's dog, I knew she was also mine. She was ours.  I was bound and determined to raise her as the best little dog in the world.  I just stared at her the entire drive back.

From day one, I was diligent about potty training. I got some bells to hang on the door and each time we took her out, we would ring them.  Pretty soon, Bella caught on and started ringing them herself when she wanted to go out. In 8 short weeks, she was potty trained.  Fast forward a couple years and here we are. Our Bella has grown into a well behaved, loving cuddlebug.  She loves hiking, jogging, swimming, playing ball, dock diving and scaling mountain sides. Oh, and she LOVES people.  No, seriously. You know that one friend that hugs you whenever you see her?  You know..."the hugger"...Bella is that friend. Oh people call that "jumping up" but really, she is just giving them a hug.  That is Bella.  I have let Bella get away with hugging people for so long that it is hard to break her of that habit.   Pretty soon, Bella will start training to be a therapy dog. We knew she would make a good therapy dog when she took to my ailing grandmother so well.  She was so gentle and loving towards my grandma and Bella was such a great joy in the last months of her life.  She always looked forward to Bella's visits at the nursing home.  A few days ago, my grandmother passed away.  I am comforted knowing that she in a better place. It also comforts me to remember how happy Bella made her.  Now we are more excited than ever to get Bella certified to help other people as well.   Stay tuned for more updates about Bella. She has a lot to say and a lot more to give!

15 comments:

  1. I can't wait to meet you in the furs Bella! Mom told us all about you! We are so glad to see another Dood move to Blogville! We can put up a post telling all our furends about you so they can stop by to welcome you! Do you have a photo we can post on our blog to introduce you?

    Your Pals,

    MURPHY AND STANLEY

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  2. Oh Bella, you are adorable! We heard all about you from Murphy and Stanley so we thought we'd stop over to say hi and welcome you to blogville! :) Can't wait to learn all about you!

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  3. Hari OM
    Oh yes, I too heard about you from the Mayorz, the Doodz of Blogville. I am the Officer for Wellness and Concerns in our little part of the ethertown and most delighted to discover that you know our resident stickologist Goose, as well as the dynamo Bert! Bella, you are beautiful and we are sure you will make your mark on Blogville's etherways. Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  4. We look forward to getting to you know better. Welcome to Blogville!

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  5. Hi Bella! Tell your Mom we totally understand how blogging gets put on the back burner while life takes over. Butt now she's back and we get to meet you and learn more about you. We hope you have a pawsome Sunday. See you soon.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  6. Welcome to Blogville Bella. We are happy to make your acquaintance through Murphy and Stanley and look forward to more of your adventures!

    Abby the Lab and her Mom L.B.

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  7. Hi Bella! we heard about you from Murphy and Stanley. it is nice to meet you and we look forward to hearing about your adventures!

    Fraidy cats: Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

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  8. Well hello Bella - we are so pleased to meet you. We too heard about from Stanley and Murphy (they are special as they share the same birthday as our Mom)

    Reilly and Denny

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  9. HELLO BELLA...... Murphy and Stanley sent us to meet you and say Welcome to Blogville.... THEY are the MAYORZ of Blogville.... VERY Impawtant Doods...
    Hope to see you around a bunch....

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  10. You Sure do look like Master Murphy which if cool cuz he is really fine. You are so loved by your peeps and that is the best thing of all. I would like to be a therapy dog but I get a bit too excited my mom says so I don't know if that will come to be. I hope you make the grade though--I'm sure you will. Lady Caroline Lamb

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  11. Hey there Bella! Nice to meet you gurl! I am Ruby, Murphy's GIRLFURIEND!
    Nows, he told me how much funs you guys had at the doggie park chasin' balls and fetchin' and chasin' balls! I wish I was there to meet you in the furs like my Stud Muffin Murphy, butts I'm sure he will tell me all abouts your adventures!
    OMD, you know Goose too?! AND Bert?! Wowsa! You are one lucky gurl!!!
    Welcome to Blogville Bella! And come on overs and visit my bloggie!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  12. Ruby...you are Murphy's girlfriend? I'm so jealous! He is one hunky dood! Thanks everyone for the warm welcome to Blogville. I feel so loved right now!! Well, I'm off to play some ball! have a great night!

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  13. Hiya Bella! Our buds Murphy and Stanley introduced us to you. I'm Bentley Basset Hound and my sidekick is Pierre the Westie. We are Barking from the Bayou and are very happy to meet you.

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  15. Hello! Thanks For All The Welcome's! I Can't Believe There Are So Many Comments On My Mom's Blog! Well...I Mean This Page Is One of My Mom's Blogs!

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