Bella learns to 'finish' like a dog-show dog

Check out Dave's blog post about our dog. She is a pit bull. At least she's part pit bull. I think. Though the vet described her as a boxer mix on her license application.

And we shot some more video today, posted above. Apparently today is Albert Einstein's birthday, so it seems appropriate that Bella demonstrate that she is also a genius.

Bella knows a trick or two

Check out the tricks this pretty good dog can do:

Cat likes to sidle up to Bella at mealtime

Bella has no territorial issues when it comes to her food dish. Nick the cat makes it a habit to drink from Bella's water dish while Bella's eating dinner. Not a problem.

Bella's enjoying her obedience class at PetSmart. Denna, her instructor, is wonderful. Bella likes visiting with the other dogs in class, and now will take treats from anyone in the store who makes her an offer.

Bella takes a breather at Woofstock

Today we took Bella to Woofstock, Wichita's annual dog party fundraiser at Sedgwick County Park. She had a fine time. Sniffed lots of dogs, accepted pats and treats from lots of strangers, let me tie a swag bandana around her neck and even indulged us by creating a purple paw print souvenir to display on our fridge. All for the good of the Kansas Humane Society. We stayed for a couple hours and she got worn out. At one point, she insisted on a rest under this table where the Humane Society was selling calendars.

Bella enjoys a dinnertime playdate with Zeus

Our friends Gretchen and Mike came to dinner tonight and I asked if they would bring their German Shepherd Zeus with them. This was the first time Bella had a friend over to play. Bella was delighted to have company. She barked a few times in her usual belligerent fashion at Gretchen and Mike, but she adored Zeus from the moment he arrived.

Today on our walk, whenever Bella tugged at the leash toward another dog, I just asked whoever was walking by, "Is it OK if she says hi?" People were very gracious, and Bella got to sniff at other dogs and wag her tail, so our walk was more peaceful than usual. She really likes other dogs. Now if I could just get her to stop barking at my dinner guests.

Dog days of summer are upon us

I came home from work at lunchtime today to walk Bella, but at 100 degrees, it is just too hot outside for her. We walked one block, then when we hit a shady patch, she lay down in the grass and refused to budge. 'Til I said, "Wanna go home?" Then she bounded to her feet and turned around, intent on reaching air-conditioned comfort as soon as possible.

Poor girl. Dave left on a road trip this morning and she will miss him. They are best friends. This morning, when he got up uncharacteristically early to pack, she became kind of agitated watching him. Even went upstairs to hide under the bed at one point. While he's gone, she'll have to spend more time in the crate than usual, and more time at doggy daycare, and more time with me. We will get along fine, but I know that when Dave gets home she will all but explode with joy at seeing him again.

New bedding for Bella

Bella keeps chewing on the nice fleece mats we buy to line her crate. So today I made a canvas cover for it. I'm sure she'll chew this up too, but I can replace it for just a few bucks, or patch it up. So far she seems to like it.