Thank you, thank you.  A lot of breeders I've known have turned from passionate dog lovers to, well, business-minded-bottom-dollar folk.  It's a sad transition!  Many breeders only see "flaws," while us lowly parents-of-pets see the heart and soul of these critters.  Bella might be "missing" a leg, but she sure isn't "missing" it, if that makes sense.  She smiled today...

 Bella is absolutely perfect this afternoon.  We went out on the deck and sat in the shade on a blanket.  She raised her head high and felt the breeze on her face.  Then we went in to "re-meet" my daughter's new kitten.  I haven't let them in the same room together this past week.  Bella became Mama in about 5 seconds.  I'm not a cat-person, but one of my kids is, so there ya go.  My daughter commented that she is no longer the owner of Gracie, but Bella has now claimed her.  It will be fun to see that relationship develop.  After eating a great meal, doing some business, and drinking a bowl of water....she's resting in her fave position....completely stretched out on her side.  She hasn't done that since her surgery, so...yea!  The entire point of sedating her is to keep her calm so she can heal.  Since she's calm without it, I'm going to hold off.  If she gets nutty later and won't be still, I'll reconsider, but for now she is just hog-happy.    Her ears are up again, her eyes are bright, and she won't stop kissing me.   Is all this going to be worth it?  Yes, yes, YES!

Well it's 8pm and the day was perfect.  No acepromazine, and I feel great!  I had my other pain meds and anti-inflammatory, and those work well.  I just didn't like being dizzy!  My mouth was so dry, but I couldn't even raise my head to drink!   My big sis fed me crushed ice on a spoon, so that helped a little.  I promised my mom I wouldn't jump on the couch anymore.  Or chase my new kitten.  Or run in circles.  Okay, I won't run in a straight line, either.  Just no more tranquilizers!  Please! 

We spent a lot of time out in the yard in my favorite shady spot.  I had a bowl of water, my chew toy, and my people all around me.  I loved the breeze (not bad for day six).  When a bird landed a few feet away, I kept my word and didn't try to chase it....it took ALL of my will-power, and I almost started running when my mom reminded me.  *sigh*  One more week until I get my sutures removed, and I'm counting down the days.  Ahhhh, how I'm longing for a warm bath!

 Oh yeah, my biggest worry was how I would manage the paw trick...well today mom asked me to sit, then told me, "paw."  I asked her if she was an insane woman, I mean, hello, I need two paws to do that trick.  Then I thought about it.  I gently sat upright (perfect posture, of course, since I'm a lady) on my bum, then gave the crazy woman my paw.  She made a very big deal about this and gave me a treat.  She even told me when I get my sutures removed I get to go to my fave pet store and buy a new bandana, since the bully tore mine off me and chewed it up. 

I have to admit, when I was left at the vet, I had some serious doubts.  It hurt a lot and my people weren't there.  Now I'm just so happy to be home and have them back.   I really could get used to all this pampering, too.

~Bella

Sorry to plaster pics everywhere, but I'm a proud mama.

PS: Please don't tell Bella I snuck in here and posted these. She's asked me to wait until after her bath on Monday. *I* think she looks great, though.