January 2010
Bella is checking out the snowy front yard.

1 Year - 27.5" tall - 80#

Did you forget that this is MY chair? Look at how much I've grown!

Holidays 2009

A whole year has come and gone. We're sincerely hoping that 2010 is a MUCH better year than the last... With dh's health improving yet still finding some new issues here and there... And all the fun household improvements we've accomplished in 2009, MORE continue to pop up at the worst possible times... Bella and the rest of the critters provide us all with the unconditional love we all need :)


Bella trying to stay up to see Santa. She didn't manage to stay up long enough for his visit.


Here is our latest addition - Lulu. She is a sweet blue bicolor Ragdoll that joined our family in late November.

November 2009

Bella 9 months

8 1/2 months - 75# - 27.5" tall

Dh had his second and (fingers crossed) LAST surgery this week so I'm a bit behind on pictures and updated posts. Bella had another growth spurt and shot up more in height. She amazes me with her brains daily!!! She's been bringing in the paper and mail for dh yet still needs to learn to control her massive paws... I love her intelligence but her sassy side is too much! We've been working with her on NOT pawing us since she arrived but she insists on smacking us around with them... Bella has also been struggling with her ability to not terrorize the cats. With the kittens barely 8 weeks she needs to control her desire to have them in her mouth and batting them around. The older cats are so tired of antics and retreat to the screen porch to escape her wrath.

7 1/2 months - 73# - 26"

With dh recovering from his surgery and another on the horizon in about two months, we're not going to the Shiloh Shepherd Home Coming this year. I'm pretty bummed but at the same time, dh's surgery was long overdue. He is getting better every day!

Bella is taking in all the attention from our extended family as they come over to help. She is stretching out and upward again as well. She is learning more manners as it is more important now for her not to jump up and to behave herself in the house. Her zoomies have moved to outside and more walks have been in the routine.

Here is Bella and Mason checking out the new cat toy... the ball that goes around and round lights up which Bella finds so amusing!



The second picture shows her with her new bee toy... she often plays with one toy while keeping another in her mouth. Shhh... don't tell her but she DOES think she is a cat ;)

6 1/2 months - 70# - 24 3/4"

Bella has hit the teen 'years' and her spunky always testing little puppy attitude has been replaced with a BIG sassy teen attitude! We're in our second fear stage which sadly has been at a bad time in our lives. Jeff has been very ill and I've had to call on the help of many family members to come to the house and help us. Bella hasn't been able to get out of the house as much with me and I pray her resiliance will bring her through this difficult time in our lives. She is still a puppy despite her grown up appearance so we have to remind our extended family that she has TONS of energy she needs help burning off. Because sometimes her exercise gets short changed, she finds trouble! She keeps me on my toes!


Here she is playing with her BEST friend Mason! They LOVE Bella's 'little' pool!

And a tuckered out Bella on the lounge chair beside me :-)