07Dec / 2013

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

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04Dec / 2013

Mutual Admiration Society

Yesterday was a great day at Noe Middle School. Everyone wanted to show the visiting fifth graders and their parents what a wonderful school we have. Tours peeked in at our social studies classes several times. I also saw them when I was making my rounds in the hallways.
It was also a day when Mom captured a few pictures of one of the kindest students on our team. She is always willing to partner with anyone and help them do their work. She is always willing to share a pencil or paper if she has extra. And she is quick to hand things out or pick up materials without being asked. And do you know what reward she likes best? Patting me!! So we are including a few pictures of our friend, Hailey, here!

That was a sneaky shot! LOL

Mom caught her happy smile!

This is Mom’s favorite. It shows both of us intent on each other: a mutual admiration society. And this is a very important part of my job – being there as a positive reinforcer for students who are doing the right thing and need a bit of stress release. Hope you enjoyed a peek inside my classroom.

Woofs and wags,
Bella

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01Dec / 2013

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

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30Nov / 2013

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

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28Nov / 2013

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

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24Nov / 2013

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

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18Nov / 2013

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

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15Nov / 2013

Ruff Morning!

This was a Ruff Morning. It followed a Ruff Night. Mom battled lows from hypoglycemia and both Dash and I kept alerting her. In the morning, Mom was still too low to drive to volunteer at her usual time so she used Facebook to contact her collaborating teacher to let her know she would be late. Finally, around 8 AM Mom was stable and Dash got a nap. I closed my eyes and waited while Mom got ready to leave. Then she got my bandana. My tail began to wag. I was going to see my kids! This morning was looking up!
We drove to school and went to class. It was wonderful to see the kids and Ms. Ames. We got there in time for advisory AKA Paws class. The kids are so sweet. They love on me and hug Mom. One even discovered my blog! That made me feel like this:

Mom was really happy, too, but she has no tail to wag to feel like a peacock LOL!
So a morning that started out Ruff turned out to be fantastic!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

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11Nov / 2013

Remembering Those Who Serve!

As we remember and thank our Veterans today, those who currently serve, and note that because of the brave this is the home of the free, let us also honor those Military Working dogs that save so many soldiers time and lives!

From a Newfie who served, to those partners who have passed on.

Thank you to our Military Working Dogs and their handlers!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

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05Nov / 2013

I am Thankful for Training!

In November many humans are posting Thirty days of Thankfulness on Facebook. I wanted to be sure to post at least one day of thankfulness this November on my Blog although I am thankful for so many things in my life!

I am thankful for my training and the treats that I receive when I work hard and do it right! Dash is too. I am thankful for Pawsibilities Unleashed, Liz Norris and her staff that help Mom and me with our training. We go to class and come home with lots of homework that helps us to improve our everyday training.
A walk is not just a walk at our home! It is an opportunity to hone our skills. We practice turns, sits, waits, downs, touch, watch me and much more. During the day, at home, more work occurs as Mom blends go place, down and extended waits into our day as she does her chores. These things help our manners and obedience.
But there is a time or two each day that Mom takes each of us into the sunroom to work on specific skills. I practiced sit, down, bang and roll over today since the kids love watching those. And I got the special yummy treats. Then Dash had a turn working on skills. He has been working on go place while Mom leaves the room and/ or does distracting things! Today he finally got it right! He got lots of treats, too!
Because we have training, good training, we are able to do service and therapy dog work. We also get yummy treats. Today I am thankful for training and treats!
What are you thankful for?

Woofs and wags,
Bella

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Bella, My BFF

Category Archives: Working Dogs

Naughty or Nice, Oh My!

Mutual Admiration Society

The Tale of Jack Frost!

25 Days: Oh My!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Morning Workout!

Looking with Awareness

Ruff Morning!

Remembering Those Who Serve!

I am Thankful for Training!

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