Air Bella

Hi,

The slide picture from wordless Wednesday was from one of our vacations.  We had been hiking some trails and come across a deserted playground.  No one on the trails and no one using the playground.  Mommy and Daddy said we might as well give it a try as it might be fun.  Mom was thinking the slide would be similar to an agility obstacle.  Easy peasy I got it.  Just straight down kinda like a tunnel without a top or sides.  Then Mom saw the big curly slide and thought well why not.  Emma, Mom and I went to the top of the slide and Mom was holding my leash while Dad got into position to get some really cool pictures as I made my way down.  Yeah, it didn't go as they had planned.  Take  a peek .......

I decided to take the shortest route possible straight to Dad right over the side of the slide.  Mom almost fainted.  She couldn't believe I did that.  Dad was shocked and checked me over head to tail making sure I was all o.k.  Dad said Mom should have guided me a little better.  Mom realized how I might not always generalize things well.  Like a tunnel may be similar to a slide, but it's not one and it looks totally different to me.  No worries the ground was very soft with lots of soft dirt fluffed up dirt.  They have to make it soft for all the kiddies that play and fall.  I wish Mom had explained what she was wanting me to do because I thought it might be a recall game since she was holding my leash and Dad was in the position opposite us a few feet away...that's how we play recall.  Now that I think about it he didn't call me.  Oh, and did I mention it was also the very first day of our vacation.  We were off to a very adventurous start. 

Now this one I can kinda see how Mom would confuse it with an agility tunnel, but again still not exactly the same.

I must say NO dogs were hurt during this vacation or any other vacation we have ever been on.  We were all fine and happy and eager to continue our hike. 


We got to admire some beautiful views

and go shopping for fresh baked goodies

lounge at a beautiful hotel

 We shopped at Three Dog Bakery and got yummy snacks and new toys for back at our hotel room.  I just love the puppet toys they are called Bite Meez and they come to life and actually play with me. It's so amazing because none of our other toys do that.  Emma got a crinkly grunting baby soft dragon that she loves.  Our hotel room was so very nice and clean and comfy cozy.  Mom always packs extra blankets to cover the hotel beds with so we do not get any hair on their blankets.  Mom and Dad also go around and dust off all the  places that any of our hairs may have landed before we check out.  Our peoples say we have to keep it nice and clean so they won't even be able to tell a doggie spent the night because it's difficult to find pet friendly hotels and when you do you want to make a good impression so they will continue to allow humans and their four legged family members.  I've even seen Mom and Dad put sheets down on the floor so we don't get any hair on the carpet.  Emma has a lot of white hairs and they really show up on dark colored carpets. 

It's been too hot around here to go on any new and exciting outdoor adventures so I thought I would share this very fond memory.  It was a joyous trip down memory lane.  Which reminds me we have got to get our plans coordinated for this years vacation.  I've heard Mom and Dad say they are taking us to the ocean.  Wow !!  I can't wait.  We've been to the ocean once before and it was so  much fun.  I could see my footprints in the sand and Emma had flying ears - they stuck straight out, hahahaha :)   That's a story for another day.

Bella

Thank You Honey

In June we pawticipated in a dance competition Dancing With The Doggie Stars by Honey the Great Dane and her wonderful human Hsin-Yi.  To our pawsome surprise we got a parcel from Honey. 

The postman must have known there was something really special in this parcel because it was already open when we received it. 

I think it was very thoughtful and kind of Honey and Hsin-Yi to send us these really nice certificates and yummy chewies.  We have never had this kind of chewie before and they smell delightful.

I was so excited to see a certificate with MY name on it.  I've never ever had a certificate with my  name on it before.  Maybe I can catch up to Bella ;)

Don't let these faces fool you.  We are really excited about our certificates and yummy chewies.  We just aren't always cooperative or thrilled about Mom flashing the camera in our faces.  Sometimes she is just so demanding wanting pictures of everything.  I've developed this new trick that I am proud to say I taught myself.  When she has the camera out and wants me to look at her I deliberately look in the opposite direction or everywhere but directly at the camera.  I'm hoping she will get the hint.  It's going to take a very long time to teach Mom this trick if Bella continues to reward her by posing like a princess for all her photo requests.

Did you know that July 30th is National Dance Day?  Mom was thinking about sending a copy of our video in for the celebration.  I'm guessing she might forget because I've heard talk of the "b" word. Ugh!!!!!!!!!  I hope she forgets about baths too.

Emma

Wheeeeee

Yeah! It's here, It's here

A few days ago we were visiting Beryl and Frankie's blog at Greyhounds CAN Sit and they were having this fabulous contest for their blogiversary and we won.  I was so excited we have never won anything before.  It took Mom a few nights pouring over 101 pages of Amazon dog toys before she finally placed our order for us.  It arrived today.   Silly Mom wouldn't tell what she ordered.  I sure hope she knows what we like. 

Thank you very much Beryl, Frankie and Beryl Frankie's Mom :) 

bungee dog, cow/pig, paw hide, magic rabbits

bungee dog, pig/cow, paw hide, magic rabbits

I wanted Mom to post the video of us (Bella) opening the box.  Bella dove in head first and pulled out the bungee dog.  She has been playing with it all night.  Then Dad pulled out the double faced cow/pig or pig/cow for me because it's all crinkly sounding and squeaks.  Sweet Pea liked it so that one is hers and I just LOVE my rabbits in a hat trick.  It's so very pawsome.  I can't stop playing with it. I have to say that paw hide game is no fun at all :(   I've posted about  the other thinking game we have that spins, has little knobs and another little square thingy to use with the knobs.  Well, that one was a little difficult at first but we all caught on quickly.  This new paw is impossible.  I wish Mom could have posted the video for me and you would see that this thing was made to be a doggie treat vault.  It just won't cooperate.  I pawed, and pawed and pawed and I tried to pull the yellow plastic things out with my teeth and I got so frustrated I just had to walk away.  Dumb toy :(  Sweet Pea she tried and tried and pawed and pawed and she just gave up.  Then there's Bella she pawed and pawed and pushed it all over the living room.  Then she tried to use her mouth and finally she was able to remove those yellow paw things and get to the treats underneath.  She's a pro.  I wish you could see the video of that too because she would remove the yellow things and then go look at them and think the treat was upside the yellow thing and then wander back to the base and find the treat in there underneath where the yellow thing was.  But, she caught on very quickly and now knows exactly how to get the treats and performs each attempt perfectly. 

If anyone is interested in doggie thinking puzzle games we do NOT recommend this paw hide game.  It's too difficult and once you do figure it out Mom is worried that someone may injure a tooth on the hard plastic.  It would have been better had they not made the yellow things fit flush against the red base.  How are we supposed to grab them or knock them out if they are wedged in there like that.

We love our individual toys.  Even though they didn't all end up with the dog Mom had in mind when they were ordered.  Here is the dog/toy combos she was thinking:

• Emma - crinkle pig/cow cow/pig
• Bella - bungee dog
• Sweet Pea - Magic rabbits

Maybe Mom should have read this tag first...... apparently Great Danes love rabbits in a magic hat.

There must be something magic about that hat because those rabbits just wont come out of that darn hat no matter how far I pull and tug they just spring right back.  Move over Criss Angle here comes Emma ;)

Silly Sunday

 

Our First Wordless Wednesday

don't worry I didn't get any soda. only the water sweat from the lid and sides.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Barnyard Critters

Mom went on an adventure with Grandpa and Grandma to the fair.  Even though I didn't get to see any donkeys, mini me's (miniature horses) or goats I did get to nap on my couch in the air conditioning and hang out with my Dad. 

One day when we get a bigger yard Mom and Dad said they are going to get me my very own goat maybe it will look like one of these.

Mom says this one would fit in perfectly with our group because we get into the same kind of mischief.  I have no idea what she is talking about.

I have no idea how that happened ;)

Mom said we are also getting one of these so she can teach it how to run an agility course and do tricks.  For some reason she thinks it would be a hoot to see one of these doing agility.  I personally think it's way too much effort.  Why run and jump when you can stand there with cute brown eyes and eventually they will give in and give you the treats.

I sure hope we don't end up with do's like this big fellow.  Quick hide the clippers.  Oh wait we don't have hair long enough to pull off this look.  Whew !!!!!

Emma

I'm Back

Hi,

It's me Bella.

I feel great today!  I ate my breakfast, later a snack and I'm pretty sure there was something hidden in it but Mom wouldn't tell me and I'm pretty sure it was some kind of medicine.  Mom is happy I am interested in food and active.

We played Mind Games and Ding Ding.  

Mind Games is a 3 in 1 thinking dog toy.  It's a lot of fun and we all figured it out instantly.  It was one of our Christmas presents this year.  That silly Sweet Pea even figured it out.  I'm gonna have to keep my eye on her after all I'm the one that holds multiple training certificates...she's never even been to school.  Ding Ding is a trick that uses a counter top bell like one found at a hotel where you tap the tiny metal pin on the top and it dings.  Sweet Pea had never done this trick before and she sat there watching Emma and I Ding Ding and when Mom placed the bell in front of her she gently taped it with her paw...what a show off.  That's o.k. I taught myself to just Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding without even being told and Mom gives me treats.  Emma cheats though her giant claws just ding on the bell instead actually depressing the little metal thingy. Mom says she still made the same noise and gets a treat too.  She earned it just with a different method to accomplish the same result.

We played with our Cuddly Buddies and took a nap and then I got another treat with some more medicine hidden in it.  I heard Mom say she enjoyed playing with us so much today and focusing on making today enjoyable for us that she wants to make every Monday doggie Monday.  All about us.  That sure sounds great to me.  Maybe one Monday it will cool off enough to play some sling ball or tunnel.  

I want to thank everyone for their concern and care for me during my episode yesterday.  I had no idea there were so many nice and caring people - Thank you!

Bella

Sickie Monsters Go Away !

Hi,

Bella here and I just want to say Sickie Monsters, please, please go away.  Really you don't have to visit all of us. 

This is how we spent 3 1/2 - 4 hours of our day today...

That's me the Bella, Bella Bean, Bella Vanilla, Bella Bam Beano.  Waiting for the Dr and the test results. 


It started out like every morning we woke up and all had to go outside to potty before breakfast.  Emma went first, then Sweet Pea, and then me.  I did my tinkle and walked around and then I vomited and it was bright yellow and then I laid down and wouldn't get up and Mom was freaked.  She was able to get me up and inside and I went straight to bed. I felt so bad and so yucky.  Mom and Dad were in my face and saying stuff and trying to get me to respond and I wasn't interested in anything.  Dad checked my gums and they were gray no pink or color whatsoever.   Then Mom really started freaking out and no one in our area is open on the weekends.  They have recordings with numbers to call in an emergency and then no one answers at that number and the nearest emergency veterinary clinic is an hour away!  Mom's freaking and Dad's scared too but he holds it together a lot better than Mom.  They threw on clothes and off we went.  Mom sat in the back with me and she prayed and prayed and prayed the entire drive.  I was not feeling good and still no color.  I was so very weak.  Thank the Good Lord we did not get noticed for speeding.  About 15 minutes from the emergency hospital I looked up, sniffed, stood up and the color started to slowly return. 

We got out of the van and went inside and I was pulling and trying to leave but the sliding door shut behind me and it's not as easy to open as just walking in front and it magically opens Mom or Dad has to push a button and they wouldn't let me leave.  Where are we?  It smells like a Dr.'s but this isn't my Dr.'s office.

The Dr. came in a very nice lady and Mom felt reassured by her right away.  She really knew how to communicate with them and with me.  She could tell right off I am very fearful of people and she didn't force me or invade my space suddenly.  She had Mom hold me with my face toward Mommy while she listened to my heart and felt my tummy, bladder area, hips and back.  She took her time and was very thorough.  I have been having pain in my lower back hip/kidney area off and on since the first of the year and a bladder infection in January and again last week and I'm still on antibiotics for this most recent bladder infection. That is when the pain usually occurs - just before the bladder infection.  Our regular Dr. already checked with x-rays and I don't have any bone problems.

Dad did most of the talking he is very detailed and communicates well.  He asked it if could be a kidney or  liver issue.  She said they were going to do blood work and that would give information about organ function.  So, they took me to the back area to draw blood, check my blood pressure and heart rate.  My family waited, waited, waited...

I feel bad sissy had to lay on the hard uncomfortable floor most of the day waiting for me to get all poked and x-rayed.  Emma said Mom and Dad got so worried because it never takes that long at my regular Dr. to get my blood drawn.  I'm usually back in a jiffy.  Mom peeked out the backdoor to ask about me.  They were holding me in the back until the blood results came back in case they needed to draw more blood.  They allowed me to go back and wait with my family.  I know Mom and Dad were just sick with worry.  The good news is my blood work came back normal with just slight elevation with the liver which the Dr. said she would expect coming off of a bladder infection.  The white cells and kidney function are all good, but I am dehydrated.  Not sure how that happened because I didn't vomit but a little bit.  The Dr. did explain how that could still happen.  The Dr. said she was going to administer fluids either I could spend the night and get an I.V. or I could get sub-q fluids and go home with my family.  We had spoken with our regular vet via phone on the drive to the emergency hospital and he said they would do x-rays of the stomach and spleen as those are things that can happen suddenly and maybe cause the collapse and gray gums/lips/ears.  The E.R. Dr. didn't feel it was anything related to the stomach or spleen as she did not feel anything in the exam and she gave very detailed information as to why it wouldn't be that vs. the symptoms and collapse I experienced.  She said for peace of mind since we live so far away she would do the x-ray especially if I wanted to go home.  Mom and Dad decided it would be the best for me emotionally to go home because I am so fearful of things and they were afraid the emotional distress wouldn't be good for me physically either.  Great news, the x-rays came back normal too.  Yeah !!!!  The very nice Dr. lady went over all 3 views of the x-ray with Mom and Dad and the kidneys, heart, spleen, intestinal organs, bladder, hips, back/spine all look good and nothing jumped out as being unusual or abnormal.  The Dr. said she wanted to give me sub-q fluids and a shot of Benadryl and then Mom and Dad are to give me 50mg of Benadryl every 8 hours from then on for 24 hours. 

The only thing the Dr. could think that caused this collapse is anaphylactic shock.  Maybe I was stung or bitten by an insect.  Dad examined me before we left the house and couldn't find anything.  Usually I swell up and will show them where it is by licking or pawing at it.  This time all I did was vomit and collapse.  They kept saying I was a rag doll.  Since we had been there at the E.R. for several hours and I have not had another episode the Dr. said she is comfortable with me going home.

My family went to wait in the waiting room.  When the nurse brought me out I was pulling to see my Mom and get on out of there.  Mom and Dad thought they were going to put the fluid under the skin on my back and I would look like a camel.  They were surprised to see they put it under the skin on my sides around my tummy area.  Dad took me outside to potty.  The x-rays was right I had some poo poo that was on the move out :)

Yeah!  homeward bound.  Dad says I picked too hot a day (90°F) to take a road trip out of town.  Dad stopped and bought us a lot of ice water and we drank that on the way home.  We left at 10:30 a.m. and we got home about 4:00 p.m.  I was feeling much better on the return trip and was moving around, looking outside, drinking.  When we got home we got our breakfast and I ate a full serving.  Mom and Dad were happy to see I was eating.  Then Mom, Emma, Pea and I took a nap because she was exhausted emotionally.  We woke up and I played with my new monkey.  Dad and I played.  Pea and I tried to play but both Mom and Dad said NO.  We aren't allowed to run about or rough house right now because Dad said it might not be good for my "beer belly".  No, I did not have any beer...we don't even have any alcohol in our home.  Dad was being silly about my sub-q fluids ;)  Can you believe it all this work to maintain my petite girly figure and now I look like a swollen cow.  The nurse said it should all be absorbed in 24 hours and most of it will go down in 8 hours.

 

They keep looking in my mouth all afternoon and evening.  I think I'm feeling much better.  I even played with my monkey for awhile.  Dad can really make it fun.  He's great at playing he makes all my toys do funny things.  Emma and Pea are still enjoying their newest toy too.

Pea sure is starting to come out of her shell and really discover who she is.  She is bouncy, goofy, snuggly, and just a little "jester" as Dad calls her.  She bounces just like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh when she is excited or happy.  She even posed nicely for Mom to take this picture of her.

I just want to say Thank You God for hearing Mommy, Daddy, Grandma and Grandpa's pleas for a healthy and healed me.  I can't wait to get back to playing soccer with my Emma and romping and playing with my Pea.

My next post will be something more fun and upbeat :)  I heard Emma, Pea and I will be taking turns.  Not sure what that goofy Pea will post about.  I guess I will just have to wait and see because she hasn't said anything to me.  Maybe next time I will show how that silly Pea goes for a walk.  I know how could going for a walk be any different than normal you ask.  All I will say is....she must have forgot to put one foot in front of the the other and repeat, repeat, repeat.

Bella