You've come a long way, baby!

I've joked in the past that Bella is afraid of everything. Today we're going to get a little more specific about what that means. She's not afraid of much, really, just people, places and things. Oh, and sounds. But you know, other than that...

Over the years, as I've been talking to folks about fearful dogs though, I've discovered something a little different about Bella. Yes, Bella is fearful and she's reactive as a result of that fear, but Bella's not really a shy or timid dog. In fact, she's a very curious and sometimes even bold little critter. While her modus operandi is "run first and ask questions later", that's not necessarily a bad life skill for a street dog to have. And it's probably that response which was responsible for keeping her alive on the streets.

The trick for us has been to help her understand that she's not on the streets any more and she doesn't have to live in constant fear. So even though she's still working on some of her issues, she has really overcome a great many fears since she joined our little family. I thought maybe it was time to celebrate just how far she's come.

Things she was afraid of: My family (mostly) Gus and Molly (dogs, specific) The garage (mostly) The basement The attic The bathroom Enclosed entry ways The car (traveling in) Being stepped over The shower The hair dryer The coffee maker The toaster The microwave The television (general)  Her harness Her leash  Her head halter Her thundershirt (mostly) Stairs The spiral staircase Wrapping paper tubes  Sticks Anything that vaguely resembles a stick Yard & garden implements (all manner of): Gloves Brooms Rakes Hoses Barrels/buckets/bins Wheelbarrows Ladders Cars Trucks  Motorcycles "Industrial" smells (paints, oils, gas...) Sounds (specific): Fireworks (we think) Leaf-blower Law mower Chain saw (just the noise - she's not allowed outside when it is in use) Agility obstacles: Tunnel Chute  Jumps  Weave poles  Dog walk  A-frame  Table  Tire

Things she's still afraid of: People (general) Dogs (general) The vacuum cleaner Bugs that buzz (flies, bees, etc) Beeps/alarms Storms (wind, heavy rain, thunder) The snow-blower  Things that fall on the roof (acorns, stones, branches, snow...) Agility obstacles (in progress): Teeter-totter Tippy boards I am not now, nor have I ever been, afraid of my dragon. Mostly.

So you see, she's actually done very well for herself. Her few lingering fears we are working to help her overcome and some we're just managing for her.

There are a few I think she'll never get over and I can't blame her. She was attacked by an entire nest of yellow jackets so I suspect her fear of things that buzz will never quite go away. That was a lesson she needed to learn. And to be honest, with such an inquisitive nature, it's probably in her best interest to harbor a little fear, it might spare her some pain in life even now that she's in a much safer place.

What we really want to help her with is her general anxiety. I want her to someday be able to hear a noise while she's stretched out on the couch and not run for cover. I want her to finally understand that while she's in our house, she is safe. All the rest is gravy.

---

So how about you? I know we've got lots of scared-y dogs out there but what is it your dogs are afraid of? Is it one specific item or event or is your dog in Bella's camp - afraid of everything new? Are you trying to overcome those fears or just managing them? Have you had any success? (Bragging is always encouraged.)

Wordless Wednesday 37 - A study in body language

Okay, not quite wordless today as some explanation is required.

This series of shots was taken quite some time ago back when we used to be able to take Bella to a local field (before it became a "dog park"). I'd never seen Bella react to another dog in this way and, being fascinated by the whole thing, I just kept shooting. There are probably 10 dogs playing behind me and, as you can see, the approaching dog's owner was watching the situation carefully. As was I even though it was through the camera lens.

Note: I've added some of my own thoughts to the photos for a thoroughly not-wordless Wordless Wednesday. :\

1

The first thing I noticed was the approaching dog kept looking away - a calming signal to the little runt watching him. Bella is interested but relatively relaxed in posture and ears.

2

Bella is getting a little intense here...

3

so the approaching dog veers off...

4

and Bella's posture immediately relaxes. (Note the lift of the head and relaxation of the ears.)

5

This is when I began to think Bella has some Border Collie in her. Not sure what the heck she's thinking here

And the Purple Sparkly Toilet Seat goes to.... Us!

So in the last week, I have almost broken my wrist, prepped (read: banged head against) my PC for the OS upgrade I'm about to undertake, rescued a lost dog and celebrated the last official birthday I shall ever recognize. (If my father could remain 29 for 50 years, I figure I can be 49 for at least 30.) And as if I wasn't far enough behind on the blog, let's just say typing with one hand surely didn't help matters.

(Before you ask, I'm fine. It appears to be just a sprain and I can now type with both hands again, although I still can't open a bottle of wine on my own. I believe that's written into my marriage contract though so Jan has been keeping busy on that front. ;)

It is however, time for me to stop whining and thank some very lovely people for some very lovely things they have said about us in the last month. Not the least of which are the lovely Mums and dog over at Declan's Dogs Blog.

First, let me tell you, when we found out that we were on 'the short list' of Deccy's Excellent Blog Award, we were pretty honored to even be mentioned among such fine blogs and entries.

But wait, I'm assuming you all know who Deccy is - the infamous Greyhound of Declan's Dogs Blog fame? If not, you seriously must go check out the fabulous ex-racing Greyhound that is the Dec-Man! Witty, charming and devastatingly handsome, this is a dog and blog not to be missed!

Okay so now, where was I? Oh yes, we were quite honored to even be considered for Deccy's "Excellent Blog Award" for March 2012 so when we found out we actually won it, well, let's just say bragging was done all over. Except for, you know, here because once again I couldn't quite get my act together until now to thank Deccy's lovely Mum for sending it to us.

Here it is in all its sparkly goodness.

It's kind of funny because we won it for a Wordless Wednesday post I actually labored over posting and then suffered massive panic attacks over once I did. (Saying I'm an introvert is so understating the issue...) I was worried it was too personal, too intimate to share and no one would want to watch a slideshow of a long-gone friend and his loving family. What a learning experience that was.

Anyway, it did seem to touch a few people, not the least of which was Deccy's Mum who had her own experience with a 'sainted' canine, Deccy's beautiful predecessor, Flynn. Seems Flynn, much like my Beau, has been a tough act for Deccy to follow. And as difficult it has been to lose Beau, and understandably Flynn, I wish every one of you reading this blog, your very own sainted canine in life.

Speech, speech!

So, okay, enough rambling. I'd like to accept this Most Excellent Blog Award for March 2012 (aka the Purple Sparkly Toilet Seat) on behalf of all the Flynns and Beaus in our lives. The dogs who weather our storms and mistakes and teach us grace in the process. The ones who are just this side of extra-special, the ones we can trust to always do the right thing even when we don't and the dogs who love us and do us proud no matter how many times we screw up on them.

But I'd also like to accept it on behalf of the dogs like Bella and Deccy who, for all their quirks and foibles, will no doubt leave their own very special hole in our hearts no other dog can fill when it comes their time to visit The Bridge. Each unique and extraordinary in their own way.

Thanks Deccy's Mum. Your kindness is well appreciated.

---

And while I'm on a roll, I also want to take a moment to acknowledge another special occurrence and thank the blogger responsible for it.

You see, a few weeks back we entered a contest over at Roo's Doins. Roo and Roo's mum make some of the most inventive stuff in Blogville from Pet Fiction Theatre Theater (sorry, crossing the pond even on a blog can take a moment ;) to their Monthly Jigsaw Puzzles and their recent "It Takes a Thief" contest. So when they were sponsoring a contest to giveaway some new creative software they'd reviewed, we signed up. If they liked it, we figured we'd like it too, if we could ever suss out how to use it.




And well what do you know - we ended up winning!

We've already downloaded the software but are waiting to really dig into it until after we upgrade to Windows 7 (no comments please). For such a computer nerd as myself, this was a lovely gift to win and I promise Roo and his mom that as soon as we get a chance to dig in, we'll produce some fun scrapbook pages to show off what a cool prize it was.

In the meantime, if you want to see what someone with talent can do in just a short time reviewing the product, click here to check it out.

What playing we have done has been fun and we really appreciate the prize. It will be put to good use (just as soon as I can get this darn OS installed and working properly.) Thanks again, Roo.

Happy Monday, all!

Saturday's Dog - Chocolate Lab Casey

Being involved in rescue, you hear a lot of horror stories that make you wonder how people can be so cruel to their animals. Believe me, I've seen surrender applications come through my email that make you wonder if you couldn't find a way to drop the human off at the shelter instead of the dog.

This is not one of those times.

This is one of those times that reminds me we're all in this together and our world is facing hard challenges. This is one of those times that makes me happy to know there are rescue groups out there to help ease the landing for some old friends whose human-folk did everything they could but just couldn't make it work.

Allow me to introduce you to Casey.

Photo courtesy North East All Retriever Rescue.

Casey is almost 12 years old and has found himself homeless because his family just couldn't make ends meet any more. They did the best thing they could for him: they found a rescue group where Casey will live in a foster home with a caring foster family until his new forever family comes along.

At 12 years old, Casey would have had a difficult time had he just been dropped off at the county shelter. Now, thanks to North East All Retriever Rescue (NEARR), not only will they make sure he's in a good foster home, but they will ensure his new forever family provides regular updates about him so his previous family can sleep at night knowing he's loved and in the best possible home (if not theirs).

This old boy is mellow and sweet and so ready to share the couch with you. You can view his entire profile on the NEARR website.

And if you don't happen to have room in your life right now for a big lovable lug, maybe you could push one of those buttons waaaaaayyy down there and share his story so someone who does have room can find him?

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday 36 - Stellar Stella

One of Bella's old playmates from the Farm Field, Little Miss Stella.