Iced Tail

Some people have to ice their knees or shoulders from overuse.

For me it is the tail. I have to ice it on a regular basis as I wag it so much!

Friday I attended a health and wellness fair for senior citizens. Part of my job was to make sure that everyone was smiling and having fun.

I roamed all around the room (off leash I might add!) and even helped to announce the raffle winners by barking the numbers into the microphone.

One visitor chuckled and asked my mom if my tails was going to fall off as I appeared so happy.

Well, my tail is still attached and I better go to bed and ice it so I can use it again tomorrow!

One

Happy birthday to my cousin who just turned one!

My cousin used to be the runt of my family’s litter, but he grew up so fast and he now weighs more than I do. For a while he was the runt, but I now reassume that position as I only weight 12 pounds. Maybe our family will be blessed with another baby so I can enjoy not being the runt again!

A first birthday is truly a celebration of life and growth. So many milestones just in the first year: smiling, eating, laughing, playing, crawling, walking and soon talking.

Although my cousin probably won’t remember his first birthday – I certainly will.

Everyone was so excited to celebrate the newest addition to our family. There were lots of yummy treats and kids to play with. I even had a taste of a homemade meatball.

On to preparing for the next birthday party and making more memories to last a lifetime.

The College Dog

From puppy school straight to college - what an academic career!

Tonight I was a guest lecturer for a course “Animals in Society” at a local college. What fun it is to be a professor!

Before my presentation, I closely reviewed my notes to make sure I covered all the important topics. The students were so eager to learn and I very much enjoyed sharing my story with them.

I think the class was so impressed that I might be a candidate for an honorary degree at this year’s graduation – then I’ll be an official doggie college graduate.

Even if they don’t award me a diploma, learning for learning’s sake is the most rewarding prize of all.

Fan Mail

I’ve got mail! And the best kind of mail – a package with treats. Yum yum!

Luckily I hired a personal assistant (just like President Roosevelt’s dog, Fala) to answer my fan mail. I’ll just chomp on these biscuits while my assistant works on my correspondence.

It is such a treat (literally!) to receive a present in the mail - so unexpected but yet so much appreciated.

Random acts of kindness are what make the world go round!

Honorable Mention

And honorable mention goes to … ME !

Today I won an award for the sit/stay contest at the annual Fala Doggie Day in the Park fair. It was an honor – I am going to wear my ribbon all week! Maybe we should have a celebration party too!

You are probably wondering who is Fala?

Fala was President Roosevelt’s dog and apparently Fala even had his own staff in the White House! Maybe I’ll place an ad in the paper and start colleting resumes for an “assistant to Bella” position.

In addition to the fun and games at Fala Day, I worked at the Comfort Caring Canines Therapy Dogs Inc. information table.

I very much enjoyed meeting all different types of dogs from the small ones to the big ones, from the old ones to the young ones.

On our recruitment sign it explains that pet therapy dogs come in all shape and sizes. I believe that our differences are what make the world a fascinating place – we should be sure to celebrate and embrace each other’s unique traits.

Life Lession 101

On Monday, my friend turned 101. Yes, you read that correctly one hundred and one years old! To catch up with her I only have 99 years to go!

For Harriett’s birthday I gave her a picture of the two of us on one of my visits. No matter how old, receiving a birthday present makes everyone smile ear to ear.

Last year there was a huge party to celebrate Harriett’s 100th birthday. Harriett eagerly showed me her photo album of the event and each picture came with a splendid story. It was inspiring to watch her look back over her life with zeal and satisfaction.

At the party, one of Harriett’s friends gave her flowers. After the flowers bloomed, the grounds crew planted them outside Harriett’s window.

Often I will catch Harriett gazing outside her window at that plant. It is as if the plant is somehow an extension of her honest and devoted nature.

Even at 101 years old, Harriett is quick as a whip and I am looking forward to celebrating her 102nd birthday and seeing how much her plant has grown by then.