I am 5 years old!

Hi pups! Well, I don't know where all the time has gone, seems like yesterday I was just a pup, but I became 5 years old on the 13th! Belly has been gone to the Bridge for more than 16 months now, and we've fostered over 70 dogs since then. There is always something going on over here, that's for sure.

Speaking of fosters, please say a prayer for my foster sister Josie. She crossed over the Bridge this morning, a few months after being adopted. She had a small cough her last couple days here with us. After being adopted, it just kept getting worse. Her furever family and the vets tried everything but she just could not beat it. We miss her.

Here is Josies' profile: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1120025 . Please check out her video, you can really see her sweet personality in that short clip, and that is how we are going to remember her. xoxox to you Josie from me, Teddy and Maggi!

Big boy barks to all,

DD

Hello doggies!

Been a while since I wrote, we're pretty busy here with fosters. We've had a busy summer! There are three fosters with us right now; Diesel the big 3.5 yr old yellow Lab mix, Johnny, the 8 month old Black Lab, and Honey, the 4 yr old Boxer girl. They have a three day adoption event this weekend, so we may not have them much longer.

I like the fosters ok, but Maggio, not so much, especially with Honey. Honey wants to start something with her every time, which is really stupid on her part, because Maggio is much stronger and tougher. Plus, Maggio ain't going anywhere, she's here to stay.

You can see our ex foster sister, Daisy, on our family page. She had to go to the Bridge and our humans are very, very sad about it. I liked her ok and Teddy played with her sometimes. She and Maggio could not get along, and at the end it was very hostile. Our little Daisy nipped a boy at the home she was adopted into; she was not intending to be aggressive and meant no harm, but still, it happened.

Teddy and Maggio are having a harder time than I in dealing with fosters but it is sometimes hard for me, too. We don't get to the dog park as often as pre foster time. We have to meet and interact with new dogs in our own house and yard pretty often. Sometimes one of them will whine or cry in their crate, and it drives Teddy up a wall. But Teddy and I like and play with some of the fosters; Maggio likes them ok if they leave her alone. We're fostering to honor Bella, so that is ok. You can see a photo montage of all our fosters on Bella's page. Big licks to you, Bella!

My human gramma's dog, Thunder the Schnauzer, may come live with us here in Illinois. We're going back to Michigan soon for a visit. He may come back with us; he's a lot for Gramma to take care of. We'll know soon.

I continue to get my food regulated to a great extent, I probably weigh under 9o pounds now. Maggi and Teddy weigh a little less too. Our Man and Lady decided we should probably start getting a little more food now, especially with Winter almost here. We don't notice it, but they are giving us about a half cup more per day now.

Well, doggies, thats it for now. For those of you who have given me gifts and zealies, I'll respond soon. Haven't been on Dogster much lately. Phoebe Buffay, if you are reading this, whenever we log on, we look for new pictures of you, you cutie! Woofs to all from Davey Dog!

I am now a lightweight!

I went to my new Vet yesterday... Dr Ray, who was also Bella's Vet. Teddy and Maggio went in too. Doc's assistant Rita (who adored Bella, and I love her already for the petting and cookies she gave me!) put me on the scale and said... 92 pounds! My man couldn't see the scale from where he was standing, and said "huh!? wait, lets do that again" because DD has been over 100 pounds for quite a while. So we did it again and I still weighed 92 pounds. I keep telling anyone who will listen that I need MORE FOOD and now I have documented proof... but amazingly, the Man says that he's proud of me and wants me to stay at this weight or... gasp... even go lower! Crazy! So he changed my profile tonight and instead of being "giant" and over 100 pounds, I am now "large" and 51-100 pounds. Teddy weighed 96 and Maggio weighed 68 so I'm bigger than her at least.

So we're doing good here. I just went to see my human gramma and my buddy Thunder the Schnauzer. I missed everyone here while I was gone though. Maggio is doing great and we still have two fosters, Zera and Sasha. Teddy and I are doing well in the WCIU Top Dog contest that runs through the end of June - we would love your vote! And, we've had many other fosters come through here who got adopted: Lucy. the yellow Lab; Kia, the Staff Terrier; May, who we adopted and now call Maggio; Lilly, the Yellow Lab; Carmela, the cute little fawn Boxer; Mary, the Beagle/Spaniel mix; and Daisy, the one eyed Sheperd/Hound mix who was adopted at an Assisted Living home as the "house" dog - very cool for her!

I still think about Faccia Bella every day, even with the craziness around here. Miss you, little Bug! There is a lot of canine activity here but you can never be replaced. xoxox from your DD

Please vote for Teddy Bear and I as WCIU's TOP DOG for June- 2009!

WCIU is a TV station in Chicago, IL. And, as our campaign messages states, we DO like Bernie Mac, and watch him regularly! We still think of Bernie Mac (and Faccia Bella) each night in our doggie prayers, just before we go to sleep. Hard to believe we lost both of them in the last year.

Winning this contest could be our big break into show business. First, reality shows. Then... acting in legitimate TV, movies, theater... Then... directing... producing... pontificating at great length on political subjects we know nothing about?! We promise - no sex tapes! Assuming neither of us is photographed with an underage Weimaraner, we could be President and VP someday! I should be the Prez because Teddy is a little... well... goofy! But for now, we are only asking for your vote for Top Dog.

To vote for us, first watch the action packed, stunningly photographed, tautly directed video that Roger Ebert calls "two dogs just waiting for something cool to happen". Then, please click on the red "Vote for Top Dog" button on the left, directly below the video window. You can vote once per day per email address.

WOOFs from DDog and TBear!

Vote for Davey Dog and Teddy Bear in WCIU's Top Dog contest!

Please Help Find Lilly in Chicago!

Please help bring Lilly home: Senior black lab that was Sleeping in the back of a van that was stolen in Naperville IL and recovered in Chicago Lilly was not recovered www.findlilly. com

This one made Davey Dog and family very sad. Lets hope Lilly is found. Good omen: our last foster pup Kia went to a home yesterday, and the other dog in the home is named.... Lilly.

My Man and Teddy's mom are going tonight to get a foster pup, a yellow Lab named.... Lilly. Just too weird to be anything but a great omen. Lilly, come home!

Hopeful wags,

DD

Wednesday musings of a certain Davey Dog

Wanted to let my pup pallies know that I'm doing pretty good and thank everyfur for all the wonderful support in the aftermath of the passing of Faccia Bella. Bella was a wonderful, snuggly, wiggly, snorty, farty, scrappy-but-loving love dog, and we miss her terribly... but the hurt is a little less now, and its becoming more and more about the good memories and stories, pictures and videos.

The humans considered taking Teddy and I to the Vet with her on her last day on this earth, so we could say our final goodbye and know for sure where Bella was. They decided not to because Bella was very agitated and still physically active, and required a lot of attention to keep her under control and safe. Having us there too would have been crazy. And, there was worry that Teddy would equate going to Dr Ray's with dying, and that is where he goes for shots and stuff too.

As it was, Rita and Dr Ray set the humans and Bella up in a different room than the one Bella and Teddy normally were examined in - they didn't want Teddy's Momma to have bad memories of that room. Teddy was back to Dr Ray's recently for a torn paw pad (which is healing nicely) and that was kinda tough for his Momma. Teddy and I were a LITTLE puzzled when Bella didn't come back from her last walk, but we noticed the humans were not frantic with worry looking for her. We definitely knew she had been struggling, and how much sadness and crying there was in the house, so we figured out pretty fast she was gone. I know my Man is still a little conflicted on whether they should have taken us....

He talks about when one of his previous Labbies, Blondie, passed away at the Vet back in a place called Texas many years ago while he and his then wife were out of town. Blondie's littermate Tippy, who was also being boarded there, was let into the room with her, and cried, licked, snuggled, nudged her for about an hour. Then, she wanted to go back to her cage - she'd said goodbye and it was time to go. When the humans got back into town later that day and picked up Tippy, she was sad but she did not look for Blondie in the house and yard - she knew Blondie was at the Bridge. I sorta wish Teddy and I could have had that, as sad and painful as it would have been. I do like hearing stories about my aunts Tippy and Blondie, too!

The effect of this has been to draw Teddy and I closer. We have been good play buddies almost from the day he got here, but now we've started to lick each others ears and snuggle a little when we nap. I am not as close to Teddy as I was to Bella, and likely never will be. I would ALWAYS defer to her. But, Teddy is a boy dog so I compete with him for sticks, toys, petting, love and attention, and I met him when I was an adult. Bella took me in her little sugar paws when I was a teenie three months old puppy, and there will never be another pup who means to me what she did.

I was lucky to have known Bella for so long, and am still lucky to have her Momma and Teddy Bear in my life so much. I've never been boarded at a kennel, because my man either takes me with him, or I go to Bella's Momma's house. Bella and Teddy have stayed at my house too, in fact Teddy just spent a couple nights with us last week. It was her mom who told my dad about off leash dog parks, he didn't know about them before.

Its usually so much fun to meet so many other dogs in a large space to run such as the dog park. Saturday when we went, my Man brought Bella's ashes in her urn and she went with us for several laps around the park. This time, she didn't get into any scraps! (Just kiddin', Buggy, I know you only did that when you were very old and not feelin' so good!)

Once in a while you meet an aggressive bully dog or dogs at the park, but both Teddy and I are big, strong, and fast enough to get out of those situations. Also, my Dad and Teddy's Momma are both very aware of those situations, and usually keep us away from the aggressive dogs before we get close enough to have any issues. Plus, they both have confronted owners of aggressive dogs to get them under better control, and it seems the chronically aggressive dogs stop coming to the park after a while.

I won't see Teddy for a while, as me and the kittydogs are leaving today to see my human gramma for a short visit - I love her, but I'll miss Teddy and his Momma while I'm gone! Well, thats it for now.

Woofs, DD

RIP, Faccia Bella Angel

My sweetie is at peace. She did not go to the Bridge yesterday as originally planned. She departed quietly, with her one of a kind beauty and grace, this evening (Tuesday, Feb 10 2009) about 5:15 PM CST. She was very, very tired, but is resting now. She had a pretty good day, as it was very warm here in Northeast IL today. She had many special treats to eat including a little ice cream, a couple good naps in the sun, a final walk through the neighborhood with her Mom and my Dad, and several walks through her yard with Teddy and I. And many, many hugs, kisses, caresses, and tears.

Thanks once again to all the pups for the love and support. I'm behind but I'll be thanking each of you individually soon.

Bella. my sweetie: Now that you are at the Bridge, pain free and with all your old strength, speed, and agility, I can only woof one thing to you... Run, Bella, Run!!!

Resigned sighs,

DD

A sad, sad day....

My sweetie girl Faccia Bella is going to the Bridge later today. She got some quality time back by taking Prednisone, but she's failing again. There's nothing to do now but love her and take care of her. As excruciatingly painful as this decision is, her Mom loves her very much and is determined to not let her suffer. Thanks so very much to all the pups who sent prayers, POPs, lit candles, and provided love and support for Bella and those who love her. She is one of a kind!

Candle for Faccia Bella
Dogster Profile for Bella

The Man took some pictures of us together today; me, Teddy Bear and you, Faccia Bella. A little later, we're all three going to put our paw prints in a clay mold to make a stepping stone to commemorate our time together. And I changed my profile music, and attached the lyrics to "Bright Eyes" below to help serenade you on your path to the Rainbow Bridge.

I wish you could be like when I first met you, when you were healthy, strong, and clear of mind. I never saw you in your physical prime, but even then at 8+ years old, you were bigger, faster, and certainly wiser than I was as a three month old puppy. You watched over me, you were pretty patient with me, and you protected me when we went out in the yard at night. You would still protect me now, if your body would let you. Now I protect you, but I can't protect you from your own failing body. I'll be looking for you when my turn comes to travel to the Bridge, and I'll lick and chew your silky ears, then we'll sword fight with our snouts once again! Oh... Bella, I'm going to miss you so much! Until then... XOXOXOXOX from your Davey Dog.

Sobs,

DD

Is it a kind of dream,
Floating out on the tide,
Following the river of death downstream?
Oh, is it a dream?

There's a fog along the horizon,
A strange glow in the sky,
And nobody seems to know where you go,
And what does it mean?
Oh, is it a dream?

Bright eyes,
Burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
How can you close the pain
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Is it a kind of shadow,
Reaching into the night,
Wandering over the hills unseen,
Or is it a dream?

There's a high wind in the trees,
A cold sound in the air,
And nobody ever knows when you go,
And where do you start,
Oh, into the dark.

Bright eyes,
burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
how can you close the pain
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Bright eyes,
burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
how can you close the pain
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Faccia Bella Update Super Bowl Sunday

My girl has responded well to the Prednisone, and for a couple weeks made it much of the way back to her old self.... Even made it back to her old stomping grounds at the Blackwell Dog park a few times, one time she went into the park, the others she was walked on a leash outside so she could smell all the latest doggie news deposited along the fence line. And she took a nice walk through the neighborhood with my Man yesterday.

However... in the last several days, we're seeing signs that she's slipping again. She's started crying and pacing more, and had a few accidents in the house. She's had three unsettled nights in a row. The Lady did another consultation with Dr Ray on Friday, and she and my Man have discussed and tried a lot of adjustments to her routine. Still, me and Teddy can tell she's starting to fall back to where she was right after the New Year - when she isn't really herself some of the time. She even snapped at ME - THE Davey Dog - yesterday! My Facci would never do that! Me and Teddy were outside with her several times last night, guarding her while she paced and did her business.

We don't know how long FB has with us but it would not appear to be very long. And for sure, it won't be long enough... Thanks to all the pups and pup families who have passed on their prayers and good wishes - all that support helped Bella, and those who love her, a great deal.

Resigned sigh

DD

Faccia Bella Update

Bella continues to improve, bit by bit. Every day, we see a little more strength and coordination, a little more of her wonderful personality, and a little more joy of life from her. Yesterday evening, she came over and picked up a big knuckle bone that I was chewing on and was laying right between my front paws, and carried it around and licked it. What a surprise! Then last night, for the first time in weeks, she slept on the bed with us almost all night without crying, which was great for her and for all of us as well!

She still has a way to go to get back to her condition of a couple months ago. We know she may not recover to that level, but are cherishing every day of improved quality of her life. There is no forgetting that the Prednisone is treating the symptoms, not the root cause, of her troubles. Thanks so much to all the pups who have written with prayers, power of paws, and other words of encouragement. They help more than you can know.

I saw a diary entry from our buddy Webster's site, titled "The Legend of the Rainbow". Wonderful words, thought I'd share them with you. The Legend of the Rainbow

Grateful Woof!

DD