tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post3878654940051062779..comments2023-06-26T10:11:55.631-04:00Comments on Bringing up Bella: 2010: I can haz do-over plz?Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10538737461438864728noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-78041460597375394382012-06-06T12:19:40.187-04:002012-06-06T12:19:40.187-04:00Hi Sherri, thanks for that.
I didn't mean t...Hi Sherri, thanks for that. <br /><br />I didn't mean to sound so negative - Bella's done really well for where she started and I don't mean to diminish that in any way. She just has some issues and we're going to help her work through them. She had a bit of a slump and I'm going to talk about that here but then I can get to where we are now and how well she's doing on the other side (well, almost on the other side) of it. Stay tuned. I promise, 'it gets better'. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-40624659975117560892012-06-06T12:06:45.519-04:002012-06-06T12:06:45.519-04:00Hi Keri! Thanks for letting us know you were here...Hi Keri! Thanks for letting us know you were here. (We've added your blog to our reading list, too!)<br /><br />Our neighbors have been very difficult about the whole thing. We finally got the matter resolved (we hope) but it did take going to law enforcement to make them take it seriously.<br /><br />Tufts used to be an awesome place for Bella to go. Now that's it formally a real dog park, it's a little small for her to be able to get away from dogs that frighten her so we can't go any more but lots of people still do and love it. There's a Facebook group for it if you're interested in learning a bit more about it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/73122599068/Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-44856357247846908552012-06-06T11:56:53.408-04:002012-06-06T11:56:53.408-04:00Hey Roo. Thanks for that reality slap from your m...Hey Roo. Thanks for that reality slap from your mom. ;) I'm afraid Bella's getting so many "guilty conscience treats" at this point, the next issue we're going to have to deal with is her being overweight. lol (We do actually keep an eye on her weight, I'm just kidding.)<br /><br />We knew were taking a dog with "baggage" as you say, so we shouldn't be too surprised when it comes bubbling to the surface. She's worth every (frustrating) moment. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-21133656478298390372012-06-06T11:45:59.786-04:002012-06-06T11:45:59.786-04:00LOL - I can't believe that. But yes, as long ...LOL - I can't believe that. But yes, as long as we keep learning, we're heading in the right direction. Thanks!Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-40655651398924155492012-06-06T11:45:30.506-04:002012-06-06T11:45:30.506-04:00Thanks PJ, it was a tough time but we all got thro...Thanks PJ, it was a tough time but we all got through it. We'll keep working things through, too. No one's giving up on this dog while I'm around. ;)<br /><br />We know we'll get there with Maggie. To be honest, her parents have had several years that were way worse than my 2010 so we all have dog issues to deal with now. Kind of levels the playing field. :)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-34518787435775081582012-06-06T11:43:24.110-04:002012-06-06T11:43:24.110-04:00Oh, I didn't know you had problems with your B...Oh, I didn't know you had problems with your Bella - she seems like she has always been the perfect dog. It is tough when we know something's wrong and just can't figure it out. All we can do is keep trying.<br /><br />Sorry you had a year like that yourself. I hope we never have another. :\Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-31378408552152068902012-06-06T11:41:45.336-04:002012-06-06T11:41:45.336-04:00Thanks Donna. We've never faulted Maggie'...Thanks Donna. We've never faulted Maggie's folks for being scared. Like you said, they're responsible for protecting their dog, not socializing ours. Things here have been better and we are starting to see a great deal of progress with Bella. She'll keep me swimming in blog material for a long time to come. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-49174960099316513252012-06-06T11:39:47.437-04:002012-06-06T11:39:47.437-04:00Thanks for the pep talk and kind words, 2PD. Part ...Thanks for the pep talk and kind words, 2PD. Part of why I'm so happy to have found your blog is that I finally have someone else who understands the Sato part of the equation. <br /><br />We're working on getting Maggie and Bella together at a local recreation center. We'll start by leash-walking them but not letting them get too close until they're comfortable with each other again. Then we'll see about off-leash opportunities. To be honest, there aren't that many places around here that we could do that and not run the risk of bumping in to other dogs.<br /><br />Additionally, we have since "dealt" with Bailey and her owners. (Interesting how asking nicely produces no results but calling the police does.) Either way, I'm just glad Bella is beginning to trust being in her own home and yard again.Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-58530368850174211532012-06-06T11:34:00.667-04:002012-06-06T11:34:00.667-04:00Oh Janet, you have no idea. My mom says I have a ...Oh Janet, you have no idea. My mom says I have a little black cloud that follows me around. ;)<br /><br />I know I shouldn't feel guilty and in my heart, I'm sure Bella will come around. To be fair, her problems aren't with me - she's my little sweetheart and we read each other very well. If she and I could just go off to a little island by ourselves somewhere, we'd have a very happy little life. (That IS part of the problem though. More on that coming soon.)<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words. This community is really something special when it comes to supporting each other.Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-4587653750155263422012-06-06T11:28:28.639-04:002012-06-06T11:28:28.639-04:00Thanks Lauren. It's really encouraging to hea...Thanks Lauren. It's really encouraging to hear from folks who are either going through the same things or have come out on the other side with relatively well-adjusted dogs. We're all learning, aren't we? And yeah, I do think we're "all just doing the best we can". That's been a life motto of mine for a long time. Funny how I forget to apply it to myself sometimes. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-48371151943268109492012-06-06T11:26:27.854-04:002012-06-06T11:26:27.854-04:00Thanks, Kristine. Coming from you, I might even be...Thanks, Kristine. Coming from you, I might even believe I haven't screwed Bella up beyond repair. ;)<br /><br />Thanks for saying you think you did some things wrong with Shiva. Seeing what you've done with her since is a real inspiration. One we're hoping to emulate. Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-21542496811064646282012-06-06T11:23:57.506-04:002012-06-06T11:23:57.506-04:00Hi Haopee. Sorry, I do tend to ramble, don't ...Hi Haopee. Sorry, I do tend to ramble, don't I? lol This is why I don't post every day. ;)<br /><br />I'm sorry you have the same situation where you are. I don't understand why people don't consider those around them when they do things like let their dogs run loose. It's so frustrating to try and teach Bella that she's safe here only to find out, she really isn't and there's not a lot we can do to protect her. Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-88821540776905912862012-06-06T11:19:50.135-04:002012-06-06T11:19:50.135-04:00Hi Jana, Thanks for that. It's true, we'r...Hi Jana, Thanks for that. It's true, we're all just doing the best we can most of the time, aren't we? I guess dogs have learned to be resilient around people because we're always doing something to mess them up. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-84258384149100075652012-06-06T11:18:08.393-04:002012-06-06T11:18:08.393-04:00Aw, thanks, Nola's mom. I think Bella and Nola...Aw, thanks, Nola's mom. I think Bella and Nola have a lot in common and it's tough when you're trying everything you can think of and it still doesn't work. Sometimes I think we're working against "type". I mean, herding dogs are going to herd. Not that Bella's a particular type like Nola is. I wonder if Dachshunds are just a little more finicky about who they like? (Hey, I don't blame them for being a little nervous of folks when they're way down under foot like that. :)<br /><br />Luckily training has definitely helped Bella (even with the really nasty stuff I haven't disclosed yet) but I admit, we only got really serious about training when things got really serious in her behavior. Ah but that's a post for another day... :)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-79460500166895296792012-06-06T11:11:55.141-04:002012-06-06T11:11:55.141-04:00You're a doll, Cindy. Thanks for the pep-talk....You're a doll, Cindy. Thanks for the pep-talk. I know you know what it's like. Don't think I heard about the chicken bone incident though. Yikes. <br /><br />Sounds like drinks are in order all the way around. (Maybe after the 24th?)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-34932693013882561042012-06-06T11:10:00.957-04:002012-06-06T11:10:00.957-04:00Boy, it's taking me forever to reply to these ...Boy, it's taking me forever to reply to these comments. You all have been so kind responding in depth to my insecurities. ;) Unfortunately, this is only the first of several posts to come explaining how missing what was going on with her at this time impacted her anxiety, confidence and behavior. <br /><br />You are, of course, right in that until they figure out how to talk to us in a language we understand, we're all still just guessing. It's just tough when you see her take 2 steps forward but 3 steps back. :(Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-39599767034172978852012-06-03T22:19:33.711-04:002012-06-03T22:19:33.711-04:00As others have already written, I, too, think that...As others have already written, I, too, think that you are being too hard on yourself. I have been following your blog for a short period and even still, I know how diligent of a dog owner you are and how much time, work and effort you have invested into Bella's development and happiness --- really, at the end of the day, what more can be asked of you as her owner? I am glad that you included the list of goods and successes from 2009 --- that is the important stuff, the reminders of how far she has come and here is to looking forward to even more goods and successes to come. Sherri @ Woman's Best Friendhttp://womans-best-friend.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-59703536646019045492012-06-03T16:30:16.567-04:002012-06-03T16:30:16.567-04:00I just wanted to say that I just recently found yo...I just wanted to say that I just recently found you guys here in blogville! Bella's so cute & I love her story. I think that it sucks what happened to her. Hopefully your neighbors have been proactive about the whole thing. My neighbors dog comes over all the time which I don't like he's sweet and my Trinity loves to play with him but I sometimes have my friends dog over whom dislikes large dogs bounding after him, hes a small terrier mix. Hopefully Bella will be able to play again with other dogs soon. Also, I've never heard of the Tufs grounds before, I'm gonna have to check it out one day. Thanks for informing me of a dog friendly area! And I'm happy to get to know you guys to!Keri Farleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-19282080847670310632012-06-03T05:48:45.401-04:002012-06-03T05:48:45.401-04:00Bella is very lucky to have you as her pawrents. J...Bella is very lucky to have you as her pawrents. Just finding someone with the love and patience it takes to work with a dog with a good amount of baggage is difficult. Bless your souls for loving your wonderful Bella.<br /><br />Uh...Mom says she thought all peeps made oopsies ;) Us dogs kinda count on that fur our entertainment and rather like the extra attention and treats their guilty conscience brings to us ;) Pawfect is boring :)<br /><br />Waggin at ya,<br />Roo1roodognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-63215465957301235062012-06-01T20:43:30.300-04:002012-06-01T20:43:30.300-04:00I forgot to mention that my list of wrong doings i...I forgot to mention that my list of wrong doings is much much too long, but you just have to keep learning & growing & doing your best :)Pauley Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-6635859608422654412012-06-01T20:42:18.724-04:002012-06-01T20:42:18.724-04:00I can't imagine going through so many horrible...I can't imagine going through so many horrible things & in such a short time.<br /><br />No one is perfect, but you are without a doubt trying much more than most people would. Bella is very lucky to have found such a dedicated family.<br /><br />Hopefully some day Bella will be able to make up with Maggie.Pauley Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-58599881388184710642012-06-01T10:31:36.483-04:002012-06-01T10:31:36.483-04:00Thanks for an interesting perspective. While you ...Thanks for an interesting perspective. While you might want to hold your compliments until full disclosure of some of Bella's less-than-spectacular behavior comes to light, it certainly never crossed my mind to give up on her. (Not sure my entire family would say the same...)<br /><br />There's just something so very sweet deep in my crazy critter that makes her worth the effort. Thanks for the pep talk and head smack. I need that sometimes. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-71538011140309079812012-05-31T21:52:14.883-04:002012-05-31T21:52:14.883-04:00You've done so much for Bella. Given the year ...You've done so much for Bella. Given the year you had in 2010, I agree with Pamela - some people would have just ditched her as too much trouble. It speaks to your love & awesomeness that you've remained dedicated to her no matter what. <br /><br />I've had my own version of 2010 (2006 for me) and have made my share of mistakes with my Bella as well. My vet and I were just talking about this the other day - they can't just tell us what's going on, so there's no use in feeling terrible when we don't figure things out right away. The key is just to learn from it and try to figure it out next time. Pup Fanhttp://wantmorepuppies.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-49255371200108497702012-05-31T16:39:26.761-04:002012-05-31T16:39:26.761-04:00Thanks friend. I lol-ed re: your doctorate commen...Thanks friend. I lol-ed re: your doctorate comment. Sometimes I feel that's what I really need here. <br /><br />I didn't really mean to sound like I was beating myself up. Like you, we're just muddling along trying to figure things out so you know, sometimes it's 1 step forward, 2 steps back. (But the pep talk I received from all you lovely folks hasn't hurt. ;)Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4228355467064891425.post-91166534443709925562012-05-31T16:33:37.662-04:002012-05-31T16:33:37.662-04:00Ah, Jodi, thank you for this. It's always nic...Ah, Jodi, thank you for this. It's always nice to hear others have faced similar issues and dealt with them successfully. <br /><br />Your idea about the film is a good one. We set up a temporary fence to keep Bailey from getting close to the house (and give Bella a play area) which has been working well. We also, finally, ended up calling Animal Control about her (after the last tumble I took while walking Bella in my own yard because of Bailey being in it) and the neighbors are, thankfully, taking things more seriously now.I didn't know about Delilah being attacked. That's really horrible and I'm sorry for her.Lesliehttp://bringingupbella.com/noreply@blogger.com