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<title>Bella's News and Views</title>
<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views</link>
<description>Dogster diary for the dog Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012</description>
<language>en</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2013 by Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 &amp; Dogster</copyright>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:40:28 PDT</pubDate>
<generator>Dogster Pet-o-matic Gennie - http://www.dogster.com</generator>
<ttl>360</ttl>

	<item>
		<title>We'll miss you, baby girl</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/783518</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 8 Jun 2012 06:24:18 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/783518</guid>
		<description>Sadly, we lost Bella at the young age of 7. Always adhered to a healthy diet with healthy snacks suc ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Sadly, we lost Bella at the young age of 7. Always adhered to a healthy diet with healthy snacks such as apples and carrots and green beans. One night she snaked a half a pizza off the kitchen table and developed pancreatitis. A visit to our local vet sent us rushing her to Michigan State Veterinary Hospital. She was stabilized, rehydrated with IV fluids, and placed in the intensive care area for observation. An NG tube was placed to provide nutrition. The vet called the next morning to tell me Bella was doing fine, was well hydrated, and had not vomited since the tube was placed. I was told I could visit any time and she would be discharged in a couple of days. 20 minutes after the initial call, the vet called me again, and said Bella was found unresponsive in her crate with no heartbeat or respirations. CPR was initiated with no response after 10 minutes, and she was gone. They claim she aspirated her tube feeding and spontaneously passed out and arrested. After a million questions as to why it happened, and with my own vet visiting MSU and viewing the ultrasound and X-rays and labs, and speaking with the vet who was assigned to Bella, they still had no answers as to why this happened so quickly. No amount of speculation will ever bring her back- I am just SO glad I saw Bella right before I left MSU and hugged her and told her I loved her. Hopefully this was the last thing she remembered- that we loved her!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>This can't be February!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/559063</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:19:43 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/559063</guid>
		<description>Hello everyone- yes, I'm still kicking, though Mom has been REALLY lax in putting a new entry in.  M ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Hello everyone- yes, I'm still kicking, though Mom has been REALLY lax in putting a new entry in.  Maybe I should start giving HER treats! Right now it is 64 degrees and sunny - I think summer is here, but the neighbor's dog that poops in our yard told me it's February. Last time I knew I still lived in Michigan - the only place where it can be 20 degrees one day and 64 degrees the next!  I went to the mailbox with Mom, and the snow melted into a river that flows down the driveway. I had to work very hard to stay in the water!  I had to quit agility because my hind patellas (kneecaps) are luxating, or moving to the side when I do jumps. It didn't hurt a lot, but I would have to kick out my leg to get it back to a normal spot, then I didn't want to do jumps anymore. Bummer, because I LOVED agility, so did Mom. My sister Speck is running on a treadmill - maybe I should try that. Since Mom hardly ever uses ours, there would be plenty of time for me to stay fit!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Happy New Year!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/252164</link>

				<pubdate>Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:57:12 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/252164</guid>
		<description>Wow, time sure flies when you're doing agility!  I went to a beginning agility class and graduated D ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Wow, time sure flies when you're doing agility!  I went to a beginning agility class and graduated December 12th. They had a mock trial, and I got to go through it with Mom, and no leash! Mom didn't think I would behave as well, but did I fool her! I did everything she pointed at, I really "jumped through the hoops" for her. Everyone clapped when the instructor blew her whistle to stop. I thought they were so impressed, they must want more, so I continued to go through the course and pick and choose my favorite things to do - the hoop, the tunnel, the teeter-totter, the plank, the jumps, the weave poles - I did them all. I couldn't understand what was so funny, though the instructor said, "I guess Bella isn't done yet!" I scored 119 points and placed second in the trial to a Samoyed who got 121 points. I got a stuffed animal with a squeaker for the prize! I love squeaky things!  Then I got very tired. Even Mom went to bed early that night!     

     On Christmas I got lots of presents from Santa, and some from Grandma and my cousin Max (he's a Sheltie, too!). Max is almost 12 years old, and he doesn't move very fast. I always try to play with him, but he just looks disgusted. He puts up with me, though.  I am hoping to take more agility classes so I can play with some new friends soon.

Happy New Year to everyone!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Graduation Day</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/227355</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 2 Nov 2006 07:19:58 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/227355</guid>
		<description>On Halloween I graduated from basic obedience. I got a certificate and a chew bone, and I won a stuf ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ On Halloween I graduated from basic obedience. I got a certificate and a chew bone, and I won a stuffed toy for the best trick (barking when people sneeze) !  I am not as scared of other dogs now, and everyone says I mind better even with distractions, whatever that means. I think distractions are a new kind of dog treat, because I sure do get lots of them when I go to class! 

Next week I start an official agility class. I can't wait! I love to jump and run through tunnels and walk over the teeter-totter. I went to a drop-in agility last week, it was fun. It was in a huge draft horse barn with a lot of deep dirt. Mom was a little perturbed about how I smelled afterward. I also stunk up the car, and had to have a bath when I got home. I think that is why I am taking the class now in a nice, clean building with rubber mat floors. I will keep you all posted on my progress!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>This is gonna be fun!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/209768</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:05:44 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/209768</guid>
		<description>Hi everyone,

    I started obedience classes this week. I think I already know everything there i ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Hi everyone,

    I started obedience classes this week. I think I already know everything there is to know, but Mom says there is still more to learn. The place we go is a huge barn out in the woods. I saw a lot of cars different from ours, but each one had a dog jump out of it!  I thought all dogs should look like me, but they don't. There are gigantic dogs like German Shepherds (why don't they take classes in Germany?) and a little dog, a Cairn Terrier like Toto from the Wizard of Oz. Three dogs are "rescue" dogs, their previous owners didn't want them or could not care for them anymore for some reason, I hope it wasn't because they weren't "obedient"! Anyway, they are all nice, but the big dogs bark LOUD!
    This week we are working on walking well on a leash, sitting, coming when called, and eye contact. I guess I don't do too well with eye contact, mainly because there is so much to see out there, and I'm afraid I will miss something! Mom takes a treat and holds it by her chin until I look into her eyes, then I get the treat! Oh, that treat is good...what did that dog just do over there...is he going to chase me? Hey, somebody honked a horn...Look, that lady just opened a door...Wow, they've got cats! I wonder why Mom isn't giving me the treat, c'mon!!! 
    Soon we will practice with Mom holding the treat out to the side, or over her head. Look at the eyes...look at the eyes...]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Bad Dog (or bad Dad?)</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/165989</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 14 Jun 2006 10:39:37 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/165989</guid>
		<description>The other day Dad took me out in the back pasture to run around.  The farmer who lives next to us ha ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ The other day Dad took me out in the back pasture to run around.  The farmer who lives next to us had his cows turned out in his pasture, and a lot of them have calves with them. They look like they would be fun to play with. I took off on a dead run toward the other pasture. Dad couldn't catch up with me, and I was barking so much I couldn't hear him calling me back. I slipped under the fence and ran up to one of the calves. They all started running away, and then a strange feeling took hold of me.  I had to chase, had to "herd" them. It was FUN!!!  They tried to run right, I made them go left. They tried to run left, I made them go right. Mom saw the whole thing from the deck on the back of the house. She didn't even know I went outside with Dad. Boy, was she hollering and screaming and waving her arms when a great big cow started running for me to protect her calf!!!  Dad got to me just in time. Mom said the cow would have stomped me, whatever that means, it sounds bad. Dad carried me all the way back up to the house, telling me what a bad dog I was. Mom gave Dad dirty looks all night. I think he must have been bad, too. Next time I'll let him chase the cows.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>I LOVE Spring!!!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/151567</link>

				<pubdate>Sat, 6 May 2006 20:08:30 PDT</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/151567</guid>
		<description>I love going outside. I ask at least every hour to go out. Sometimes I have to jump up where my leas ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I love going outside. I ask at least every hour to go out. Sometimes I have to jump up where my leash is and then go get Mom, and back to the leash. She asks me if Timmy is stuck in the well again (something to do with Lassie). Spring is for me. Trees full of birds- must jump at them! Butterflies in the dandelions- must jump at them! The cat, the squirrels, flower petals flying through the air - must jump and jump and jump!!! Then my tongue gets really long and curly and I have to drink lots of water. Then I have to go out AGAIN!!! Yay!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Puttin' on the Ritz</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/126379</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 1 Mar 2006 16:33:33 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/126379</guid>
		<description>Well, with the unpredictable Michigan weather rearing its ugly head lately, Mom decided that I neede ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Well, with the unpredictable Michigan weather rearing its ugly head lately, Mom decided that I needed a fancy coat. My sister Speck has one, and it's really pretty. The brown truck with the man dressed in brown that gives boxes a ride brought a box to the front door. It was a small box, so I didn't bark too much. In it was a stupid-looking Scottish plaid four-legged fleece coat, which Mom put on me right away. It had something called velcro all down the back, and it makes a scary ripping noise. My tail sticks out the back, and my belly hair sticks out the middle. It made me walk all funny, like I was high-stepping, and then I tried to get it off by jumping and bucking like a rodeo bull. Everyone laughed but me. It was so embarrassing. I got some treats that made it bearable, though. Then Mom took my picture and is threatening to put it on my site! That's ok, because Mom got a box, too, and her sweater makes her look stupid, too. Where's that camera? Oh, if only I had opposable thumbs...]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>weather...or not</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/121143</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 15 Feb 2006 16:45:35 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/121143</guid>
		<description>I can't figure out why the weather changes on a daily basis around here. Last week we got snow and i ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ I can't figure out why the weather changes on a daily basis around here. Last week we got snow and it was very cold and windy, before that it was 50 degrees in January! Now today, all the snow melted and it's warm again. I walked out of the walk-out basement door under the deck with my mom.  Something wet and cold dripped on my back, and then my head, and I jumped straight up in the air! I looked back at Mom, and she said, "I didn't do that" and laughed. Then bang! It hit me again! It was coming from between the cracks in the overhead deck boards. I think the cat is shooting spitballs at me. Tonight we are supposed to get an ice storm, whatever that is. I'll tell you later what I think about that kind of weather.]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Something else I can't play with!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/118139</link>

				<pubdate>Tue, 7 Feb 2006 15:22:58 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/118139</guid>
		<description>Cats have toys that are so much more fun to play with, for some reason. Every chance I get, I try to ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Cats have toys that are so much more fun to play with, for some reason. Every chance I get, I try to sneak upstairs with one, but I usually get caught. They say "That's a cat toy!" and I have to drop it. I love to shred the feathers on some of them, until they get all spitty and you can't tell they are feathers anymore. The little leather mice are fun to crunch until they are flat and slimy with no tail. Of course, everyone knows what I do to the brightly colored fuzzy cat-toy balls - yup- more shredding. If the cat didn't want me to play with her toys, she wouldn't leave them lying around, that's what I say!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Mmmm...kitty litter!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/116252</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 1 Feb 2006 13:00:58 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/116252</guid>
		<description>It seems like I have put on weight lately. I don't notice the difference, but Mom keeps squeezing my ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ It seems like I have put on weight lately. I don't notice the difference, but Mom keeps squeezing my ribs and shaking her head. After some detective work, Mom discovered that the huge bag of 100% corn kitty litter had been disappearing faster than what she used. It's not my fault that the bag was open behind the basement door, and just at my eye level! Plus it kind of smells like dog food. Too bad they don't make 100% celery kitty litter, it wouldn't pack on the pounds! Darn it, another fun thing foiled...]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Shredding is fun!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/114667</link>

				<pubdate>Fri, 27 Jan 2006 14:26:50 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/114667</guid>
		<description>Today I found some things on the floor and discovered that I can put my foot on them, and pull with  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today I found some things on the floor and discovered that I can put my foot on them, and pull with my front teeth, and the things come apart into a bajillion hard-to-pick-up pieces! It's sooo much fun! I found a paper towel, and an old dryer sheet, and a couple of those fuzzy cat ball toys, all behind the washer/dryer while mom folded clothes. I shredded them all without making a sound, too. Mom didn't look too happy. I suspect that kind of fun was a one-time thing...]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Bathing Beauty</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/114051</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 25 Jan 2006 15:48:47 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/114051</guid>
		<description>Today I got the beauty treatment at home. Must be I was starting to smell like a &quot;dog&quot;, and I guess  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Today I got the beauty treatment at home. Must be I was starting to smell like a "dog", and I guess that's not good in human circles. First, I got brushed and combed. I've been told a sweater could be knitted with all the hair that came out of me, I thought it was another dog! Mom got some shampoo with oatmeal in it so it soothes my sometimes-dry skin. I turned around and around in the tub, and stood waaay at the back, but the shower massager could still reach me!  After the bath, Mom waited until I shook myself a few times before she let me out of the tub. It's amazing how much water a Sheltie coat can hold! Then I got the HUGE towel thrown over me to soak up the rest. Since I'm afraid of the hair dryer it takes awhile to get dry. I wish I didn't have to pee right away-  that wind is COLD!!! Then, I got my toenails trimmed, and the hair around my pads trimmed, and got my picture taken. A burst of energy occured, and I ran full blast around the house, bouncing off each chair and the sofa, and the beds,  making an endless circle. The cat looked disgusted. Mom looks tired, but now I'm the one taking a nap. That experience took a lot out of me!]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>Boxes are everywhere!</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/112238</link>

				<pubdate>Thu, 19 Jan 2006 14:21:56 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/112238</guid>
		<description>- I just heard that my sister, Speck saw a huge, scary box in her backyard. Just when I get used to  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ - I just heard that my sister, Speck saw a huge, scary box in her backyard. Just when I get used to what my "scenery" looks like, someone throws me a curve. My family was using one of those big boxes for an archery target in the backyard one fall day, and they didn't warn me about it. As I pranced out into the yard, something caught my eye, and if dogs could fly, I would have circled the airfield 100 times in a minute to get away from that thing trying to sneak up on me. Instead I circled my mom on the leash 100 times! I barked until I was hoarse. I still look for that box every time I go outside. I think boxes are nomadic- they travel from one place to the next, just to throw you off. You always have to watch out for them! There are also people dressed in brown, driving a big brown truck, and they do nothing but give these boxes rides, sometimes right up to your front porch where the box can taunt you! I don't know why humans are so happy to see these boxes, they even bring them into the house! I think those boxes are begging to be shredded by canine teeth...]]></content:encoded>
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	<item>
		<title>From Past to Present</title>
		<link>http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/112059</link>

				<pubdate>Wed, 18 Jan 2006 20:34:00 PST</pubdate>
		<author>Bella R.I.P. 3/14/2012 ~ writing at dogster.com</author>
		<category></category>		
		<guid ispermalink="true">http://www.dogster.com/dogs/240726/diary/Bellas_news_and_views/112059</guid>
		<description>Wow- how do I sum up my life so far?  I met my new family shortly after being separated from my mom  ...</description>

		<content:encoded><![CDATA[ Wow- how do I sum up my life so far?  I met my new family shortly after being separated from my mom and my siblings. It was a long drive to my new home, and I threw up the whole way there! I found out what paper towels were that day, and I don't like my face wiped, either! I went from lap to lap and hardly touched my feet to the ground the first few days. I missed cuddling with my siblings. I was introduced to the "Kryptonite Rabbit" - he is black and white and fat and fuzzy, and soft just like my dog mom. When I put my head on the rabbit I get sleepy. My new family spoils me with lots of toys and attention. I get to go outside a lot - there are so many things flying around that I want to catch - like leaves, birds, butterflies, airplanes. There is a red squirrel that taunts me by circling around and around the tree in the fencerow, chattering. I wish I could climb trees. My family is teaching me obedience, I think it is the same as Halloween, only when I do a trick, I get a treat! Sometimes my family likes to make strange noises with things that have funny names like vacuum, hair dryer, blender, tape measure, and pots and pans. I think they might be attacked by these things, so I bark and try to grab the evil things away from them. Mom doesn't like it when I grab the evil dishes while she is trying to load the dishwasher, so I have to go in the crate. I just want to protect her. Also, my family makes a noise they call "sneezing" - it sounds like "Achoo" but translated, means "All Shelties are bad" so I must bark my disapproval every time. I've been on a few roadtrips, they make me wear a special safety harness in the back seat. It's not too bad, I can still turn around and see out the window, and throw up on the floor. I don't do that much anymore, though. They say I'm growing out of it, whatever that means! I had my first boat ride in July, and I didn't throw up then, either! I really like my new home. I get lots of hugs and kisses, get to sleep on the bed, sit on the furniture, and chase the cats. I have seen pictures of some of my brothers and sisters, I hear Speck is as spoiled as I am! Life is good. Best of all, I can take a nap whenever I feel like it- you humans can't do that, now, can you? Well, that's my life so far, I will update with interesting tidbits from time to time. Enjoy!]]></content:encoded>
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