~I won't change my mind because someone told me to.~
~Rebecca Akins 1910~
Where did 365 days go?!? It was one year ago today that I drove to a foster home for Harney County Save A Stray Rescue to pick up a rescue dog, Bella. We were contemplating another dog...which would make a total of 4...and would take her on a trial basis (actually My Man had to be figure out if 4 dogs would be takin' it a lil' bit too far over the edge). Bella's first story is here.
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| Bella's first photo...ridin' in the back seat of my truck...on the way to her new home...and a better life. |
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| Such a confused look on her face...sided up to Cowboy for comfort. |
I wanted Bella Jo to be my cow gathering dog, but not only had she never seen livestock before...she was terrified of them!
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| On day 5 she proved herself useful with her very first varmint...and she never looked back! She's the best ratter on the place because she's so quick. |
After a week with us, I started lookin' at her belly because they said she could be pregnant. It had a lil' bit of a pooch and I made arrangements with Save A Stray to have her taken to Bend for a spay operation ASAP...thank goodness we did because she was 5 weeks along and had 10 puppies in her! It's hard enough to place 1 rescue dog...let alone 10 more puppies. I know it's sad, but it was for the best.
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| Bella Jo finally came to terms with Tat...who she would chase...they seem to have an agreement. |
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| Trail ridin'...Bella Jo took to it like a fish takes to water. |
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| Her confidence increased daily. Always on the look out and always a pretty picture~ |
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| Farming alfalfa brought new sights and smells...mostly varmints! |
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| Of course her BFF neighbor dog Missy and her still play like crazy dogs! |
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| Cattle dog? Yes, she is actually learning what she's supposed to do. The trips out gathering pairs this fall have really changed her. We've got to work on commands (actually I need to figure it out) to make it all come together. But she's getting the herding drive that I didn't think she had. |
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| Bella Jo's a momma's dog and gets the most pathetic facial expression when I have to leave without her. She's acclimated herself to ranch life and is the happiest dog...can you blame her?!? |
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| Bella Jo~a full-fledged member of our family. |
Cheers to you Bella Jo to many years of companionship. We love you dearly!
How time flies. What a lucky dog she is to have such a good home. She even outrats cindy sue?
ReplyDeletethats good to hear.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how pets become so loveable and a part of the family.
ReplyDeleteWe have had our puppy standard poodle only since August 11th and can't imagine not having her around. She is a joy.
I am glad Bella was able to go into a good home.
She sure did turn out to be a gooder! I love that photo of her and Missy.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Bella first arrived! Fell head over heels for her then, and still love her to bits now. So glad she worked so well into the family for you guys! May there be many many more years to come with Bella and all the k9 crew out there!
ReplyDeleteBig belly rubs to Bella Jo on her one year anniversary!!!
I love the healers, Bella Jo is a very cool dog.
ReplyDeleteI love the healers, Bella Jo is a very cool dog.
ReplyDeleteAww gorgeous Bella Jo !!! Happy Anniversary pets and ear scratches
ReplyDeleteHappy 'doption day, Bella :-D
ReplyDeleteHappy Gotcha day Bella....I think you lucked out bigtime!!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, sweet Bella Jo, the luckiest dog around! I've loved all the pics of her in the past year, and it's amazing to look back now and see the change in facial expression. Dogs are such blessings!
ReplyDeleteI knew the minute I saw her that it was a match made in heaven. Lucky you and very lucky Bella Jo! Hard to believe that it's already been one year!
ReplyDeleteBTW tomorrow I will pick up our new rescue dog. Shet will probably give me a reason to blog again. Wish us luck. I only hope she looks half as happy as Bella does after her first year with us.
Congrats on a fabulous year - new faces and new places. Bella sure looks content.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! In those first photos from a year ago, Bella Jo looks so wary ... but that's so neat to see her "blossom!" NICE dog!! Glad y'all could give her a great home - she does indeed look happy! I really like the photo where you're driving cattle, and she's following along the dirt "road." Love it.
ReplyDeleteCommands? My rat terrier is a wickedly handy dog with cattle. We taught him with these commands....Not that one!...Git back here!...Knock it off!!!!....you sorry *&%*##%&!!!
ReplyDeleteLuckily he figured it out in spite of us....
What a cool post, I remember when you first brought her home, I can't believe its been a year already..:-)
ReplyDeleteshes a pretty lucky dog to have found you guys!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!!
ReplyDeleteSydney~Yes, Bella Jo out "rats" Cindy Sue. I attribute that to Cindy's diminishing eye sight. I'm having her checked, but it's probably cataracts. It's hell to get old, no matter what species you are :(
Oh she is a lucky dog, and I bet she will now do pretty much what ever you want her too..great rescue! :)
ReplyDeleteHi there. Just found your blog from GoWestFeralWoman's place (I just found hers yesterday). Love your photography and am a kindred spirit when it comes to 4-legged kids. Will enjoy following you, I'm sure! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty girl and she seems like she loves her life!!
ReplyDeleteHappy gotcha Day!!! What a great story. So sad about her pups, but yes important that that difficult decision was made. Glad she found a great home and that she is starting to understand her "job". Awesome pictures by the way. You have some very beautiful dogs.
ReplyDeleteGlad to find another kindred spirit....I have four dogs myself and they are not even on our farm for a job. You should tell your hubby that he could be stuck like my hubby with two very old basset hounds and two wild cattle dogs with no cattle to round up. :)
Great reading your adventures!!
Summer
Yay one year, that sure went by fast. I remember when you brought her home.I think you all got lucky to have found each other,many happy years to come.
ReplyDelete