Not much happening in the life or times of Bella lately. She
goes for walks, sleeps, eats just a little, kills her duck (soft toy!), and
generally hangs around!
Last week she needed a new collar so for the first time went
with us into the big
Pets At Home shop.
So many strangers passing so close! So many smells, including guinea
pigs and rabbits, but the experience was too stressful and confusing to
bother!
A few people stopped to admire
her and ask about her breed, as expected, and not only did she come away with a
new collar but also an un-stuffed duck soft toy, with a squeaker in its
head!
Quite a hit! After just a week
the duck’s eye is hanging by a thread, but otherwise it has so far survived!
The special present Megan brought back from Zambia lies untouched next to her
bed! She’s a soft cuddly dog and doesn’t like the hard raw-hide chew toy, so
she also hasn’t found the treat which is apparently hidden inside!
A couple of days ago hubby was not feeling up to the early
morning walk so I (reluctantly) shuffled out and ended up being out for an hour
and a half! Bella was really good on the short lead – I don’t use the
flexi-lead anymore – and was responsive …. mostly! Once we got to the really
muddy bits alongside the River Orwell which she didn’t mind one tiny little
bit, but since I only had trainers on, I did mind, we turned around and trudged
back home. A 4½km walk which was fairly pleasant – straight out of bed!
This morning, hubby was again not feeling too well so
instead of going out for a walk, he opened the back door and told Bella to do
her thing on her own! She was OK until
I greeted her at the bottom of the stairs but I didn’t pick up the lead. It was
then she must have decided to take herself on a walk and once again found the
secret (that is, we don’t know where it is) opening into the neighbour’s
garden! 8am was a bit early to knock on
said elderly neighbour’s door to ask for our dog back, so we waited about half
an hour, and kept an eye on her from upstairs knowing she couldn’t escape but
she might trample a prized flowerbed! Fortunately elderly neighbours are very
understanding and allowed her to leave their paradise! Needless to say she was
confined to her own bed in the kitchen for the morning and any attempt to sneak
into the lounge was met with a stern reprimand from Mum!
 |
| (Mine, not theirs!) |
At tea on Sunday evening someone brought up the subject of
whether animals have consciences! Despite hearing a preacher adamantly say that
dogs don’t have consciences, this someone could tell many a story of how his
dogs had shown human childlike traits....... like after stealing the chicken waiting to
be Sunday’s roast!
So life goes on as normal! An early morning ‘good’ walk
generally means a lunch time ‘bad’ walk and vice versa! Pleading eyes and ears pinned
back beg forgiveness and eagerly accept ................... and forget!
But we love you Bella!
