Readers' Pets: Bella the Herding Mix
Introduction: This beautiful girl is Bella, also variously known as Bud, Bella-girl, My Little Mensa Dog, and Miss Bella-Bella. I adopted her from an area shelter (Friends of Homeless Animals – www.foha.org) a little over a year ago. Although I had a dog when I was growing up, Bella is the first dog I have been solely responsible for. I spent almost three months searching for the right dog, visiting a lot of rescues and shelters in the area. I had seen easily 100 dogs by the time I came across Bella. My parents happened to be visiting me that weekend, so we made a day trip to FOHA to check out the dogs there. When we took Bella out for a walk, she was happy and energetic, without being puppy-crazy. She was also super-friendly and she had the softest fur I’ve ever felt. So, despite the fact that I had been looking for an older, male dog, she came home with me a week later.
Home: Alexandria, Virginia
Age: Hard to say. Somewhere between 2 and 4, probably closer to 2.
Breed: Herding mix
Personality: Bella is wicked smart and hugely affectionate, but protective when necessary. I sometimes describe her as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, because she is a completely different dog indoors than she is outdoors. Inside the house, she’s what I call an easy-keeper. She’s generally quiet and calm and likes to chew on her nylabones and play with her stuffy. Outside the house, Bella’s hyper and easily distracted…. mostly because she is just so alert! Small furry animals (e.g., squirrels, cats, small dogs that look like they might be squirrels or cats) are the bane of my existence. But with the help of group classes, private trainers, and the My Smart Puppy Message Boards (which provide wonderful advice and support) we have made a lot of great progress. I wouldn't trade her for anything.
Likes: Giving kisses to anyone close enough for her to reach, suckering treats out of the shopkeepers in Old Town Alexandria, tummy rubs, hogging the bed at night.
Dislikes: Going to the vet, having her tail brushed.
Favorite Toy: Nylabones and stuffed toys.
Favorite Food: Sweet potato, eggs.
Trivia: Bella likes to hold hands. She will sit down by me and put her paw in the air, waiting for me to hold it.
--Spanno
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Brenda on October 21, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Hello, Bella! :)