IT'S BEEN A LONG LONG TIME.. ALL IS GOOD

Well Mommy said she completely forgot about my Blog- crazy huh! It has been over a year since I last posted something. I am doing very well for the most part. Mommy still complains about how big I am and has cut my food down alot, but I'm getting older and I just don't seem to drop the pounds like I used to.

My legs/knees are doing ok still. I just get a little sore still when I overdo it and my mommy gives me a pain pill. I absolutely LOVE to go out in the country and run around though. I still have my siblings Lula, Speckles, and Munchkin. Mommy and Daddy still foster other pups in need too. They always complain that there aren't enough good homes for them so some of them have lived with us for over a year now. It's ok though, I'm up for anything!

That's me with one of mommy and daddy's foster pups, Percy. That poor baby was hit by a car and broke his pelvis. He had to have surgery too where they actually removed part of his hip bone- can you imagine??? I think I got lucky :)

I still love the water and my long-time buddy Lula is always there by my side. We have been best friends since I was about a year old! Two peas in a pod mommy says!

Of course after my swim, I MUST scratch my back!

I can be a little vocal when daddy ignores me (it usually works to tell him though...hee hee).

Well Mommy is calling me, so I must go for now. I hope all my fellow canine surgery buddies are recovering well!

WOW WHAT A YEAR IT'S BEEN!

Well it's almost been a year since my surgery and I though I would update everyone and show you a few pictures. These are basically my sisters (except the other black one in the picture with the flower petals- that was a foster). You may remember, mom and dad were fostering Speckles (larger white dog) and Munchkin (I'm sure you guessed...). Well...Lula and I convinced them to let them stay too- YEAHHH!!! As you can see, we can get into some trouble (don't worry, I don't actually eat the cardboard box, I just like to decorate the floor with it). Mom and dad get mad because I've taught the newbies to do it too- woof woof! Well enough about my family. I am sure you are wondering how my leg is. From what I can tell, it's great. If I run too much, I sometimes ache a little, but mom takes care of it. Mommy wants to take me in just for a follow-up to make sure my other leg is doing well too (I'll let you know if/when we go). Well- feel free to email my mommy if you have any questions. Gotta go to sleep on my comfy bed...wags and kisses- Bella

GOODBYE FOR NOW!

I am doing very well overall mom says. As you can see, I am spoiled rotten! Even though mommy bought me a new bed, I just HAVE to be with the family on the couch (and my little sister, Lula). I run and play with everyone now with only an occasional limp (mainly when it is cold outside). I feel sooooo much better though! Mommy has put me on the D-word (yes Diet!) because she said I'm a big fat walrus! I'm super cute though! Anyway, I must go for now, but I thank everyone out there for their well wishes and advice! Surgery worked for me and I hope it works for you too! WAGS & KISSES!!!

13 WEEKS POST-OP: UPDATE

Haven't I changed alot (just kidding, read on and you'll know who this is)

Oh I know it's been a while since I've posted, but mom went out of town for her mom's surprise birthday party in St. Louis. I wasn't able to go with her so she hired my favorite babysitter, Laura. Poor poor Laura had to watch all 6 of us- can you imagine! That's right- mom took in 1 more foster dog (a boy this time- yippee!). I know you are thinking mom is crazy, but the shelter was going to put him to sleep and she just couldn't take it! So, if you know anyone that is looking for a wonderful dog, Dexter is available (that's him in the picture). He's a goofy boy, but I think he's a keeper! He actually makes me look bad- he learned to sit, fetch, and shake all in a matter of minutes! Anyway, enough about my foster brother.

I have been in heaven these last 2 weeks. Mom takes me for walks nearly every day and I'm able to go further each time. The only problem is when it's so hot outside...I just don't do very well being so large and black :) I played a little hard yesterday, so I came in limping a little bit. The good news is it was gone by morning (mom thinks I was probably sore like Doc said could happen). No biggie, good as new today! I'll keep you posted and take new pictures as soon as I can! Wags and kisses to all of you!

WEEK 11 POST-OP: FREEDOM AT LAST!!!!

WOOF WOOF! That's all I can say! Dr. Dew took x-rays of me today and told me my bone was 100% healed! There is new bone growth around the plate and you can see fatty tissue around the knee cap that Dr. Dew said will be absorbed into the bone and also indicates normal joint fluid, etc. (mom may have the words wrong, but the news was all good). Basically, I can now be off leash...yeah you heard me right! I can even play with my sis and foster buddies (well he said for the next 3-4 weeks to take it slow off-leash: maybe 5 minutes of romping and running week 1, then 10 minutes next week, then 20 minutes the 3rd week, and then no worries). I'M SO EXCITED! He told mom to let me regulate myself...that I might be sore, but that my bones are strong. He also said that swimming would be a great way to build endurance (mom's looking into it- no lake right around here, but she's looking for alternatives). Oh I have longed for this day! Dr. Dew and staff are absolutely INCREDIBLE and I can't thank them enough for giving me my life back! I'll let you know how I do with my new found FREEDOM! Good luck all of you that are recovering... Your day is near!

WEEK 10 POST-OP: HAPPY 4TH!

Well you know I had to do the Patriotic thing- don't I look so serious! Mom thinks I look adorable! I also wanted everyone to meet "My Pack". It's so hard to take pics of all of us, but that's daddy with (left to right): me of course, Lula (sis), Zoe (foster sis), Munchkin (foster sis), and Speckles in back (foster sis). I am so excited because I only have less than 1 week until I get to see Doc (and hopefully get the all clear to add a little more exercise). Mom caught me eating Munchkin's puppy food in the middle of the night (she doesn't know I do it all the time) so now I have to reduce my treats :( I'll let everyone know what Doc says as soon as I can! Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

WEEK 9 POST-OP: JUST COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS...

I cannot wait until I get to see Dr. Dew (my appointment is not until July 10th though). This is really driving me CRAZY! I am feeling so good- why do I have to stop playing??? I have a new foster friend, Zoe. She stays in the kitchen most of the time, but it's nice to see her every now and then. She's kinda a cross between me and Lula (she's the first one in the pictures in case you can't tell us all apart- who am I fooling, I'm the gigantic one!). Somehow, we seem to get alot of black dogs! That's okay, because they need homes more than anyone! Well I must go for now, I'll keep you posted on my boring recovery :) I'm so glad things are going well though. How's everyone else doing? Mom's gonna check the orthogroup board and let me know. Goodbye for now!