Happy Birthday Bella!

Wow, how is it that my little puppy has turned 4????  Seems like yesterday that Scott brought her home to me on April 1st.  As a sidenote, I wasn’t convinced this wasn’t an April Fool’s joke until I saw Bella with my own eyes!!!!

Bella at 7 weeks old....can you stand the cuteness!!!!

I was approximately 6 months into my Master’s program when Scott found a Labrador breeder in Vermont.  On an evening when I was sitting in a classroom, Scott conquered the 3+ hour ride up to Vermont to pick our little angel up.  The town was so close to the Canadian border, we joked that Bella had dual citizenship.  For a 7 week old puppy though, driving home in a crate for 3+ hours when she’s been warm and cozy amongst her littermates and mama her whole short life, this was no joking matter.

Poor Scott.  Bella was not a good car dog from the start.  Since Scott had no copilot for the ride home, Bella stayed in her crate in the back seat.  Apparently, she cried incessantly until Scott finally took her out of the crate and brought her up front with him.  Add equal parts puppy pee and poop, mix, add more crying, and boy, what a mess.  I repeat, poor Scott.

Things have improved 500% since that day!  Bella’s a beautiful dog (yes, totally biased).  She lives to play – mostly retrieve – but has a very serious, intent, and focused side to her.  I always comment that she “seems to really think things out”, which I take total credit for.  Her focus or “dog on a bone” mentality?  That’s all Scott.  Yeah, I realize I’m talking about a dog taking after her human parents, but c’mon, I like to brag too!

A couple weeks after we brought Bella home, our neighbor contacted the same breeder and now there were two in the neighborhood.  So, from almost the beginning, Bella and her sister Bauer have been together.  They play together, swim together, pull the Kong out of each others mouths, hunt for moles, and yes, sniff each others' butts.  It’s been pretty cool to watch the two sisters grow up together.  They’re both very lucky dogs, who are spoiled and loved.

Lots of puppy play



The ultimate play date

Doesn't get much better than this!

One of Bella's favorite friends, Bruno, who left us last year :(

Not a puppy anymore.....

So for all the dog hair, scratches in the wood floor, vet bills, kennel bills, and begging (for play, not food!), I wouldn’t trade her for the world!  She makes me smile and laugh and cheers me when I'm down.  She just about knocks me over when I arrive home, whether from a 30 minute run or a 3 day business trip.  I still thank Scott to this day for bringing her to me.  I love our little family.

What you can't see is the meaty bone bribing her for this smile!