And on the second day of the New Year… Belle had the perfect expression to complete the excitement I feel towards 2012 where my words fail.
Category: Dogs
I’ve rediscovered that it’s the simple things in life that can make such a big difference in life. I’m trying to make these trips to our park a daily habit with Belle. They’re good for both of us, time outside with Belle was suggested to me by the therapist.
Sunshine, fresh air, Belle cuteness– it’s a great positive thing for my mental health!
Here’s my favorite photo from today:
Took advantage of some beautiful weather and did a photo shoot! (Tried out a couple new apps on the phone, and the winner was “Camera360.” Also tried “Retro Camera” But only got one photo that I really liked from that app so “Camera360″ was today’s winner.)
Here are some of my favorites from this morning:
Belle, the star of the photo shoot:
PrinceFloydCat:
Siblings:
This one, Amber and I agreed would’ve been so perfect if PFCat hadn’t stuck his tail up.
But I also love that I captured Belle’s expression and his interruption- they are very much like siblings.
Cat butt:
To see the full album: clicky!
I started a separate account for my photography, I’ve decided it’ll be my “drug of choice” to cope with Nursing school and the career that awaits beyond. So I’ll be sharing it here and on my tumblr. It was really relaxing to do something totally different today.
Bonus:
Started out photograhping the bottle of Jameson.
First, want to thank everyone who reached out on twitter, on facebook, texts… and offered support and love for Belle and me.
The first sign of problems started yesterday afternoon when she had an accident and peed blood. (Cue Niki meltdown, thank goodness for Amber and her calming ways when it comes to Belle.)
Took her to the vet as soon as possible, (after waiting all day and telling myself that I was being stupid for worrying she’d drop dead.)
First attempt to get a urine sample in an emisis basin- major fail. I finally managed to get a few drops of blood. Then they took my claim a bit more seriously because hey look, the urine sample was only blood. The vet did her cursory exam, Belle was fairly friendly and excited,but definitely a few notches down from her normal greeting of people. First pressure applied to her bladder and she screamed bloody murder. She got a ultrasound and they also extracted urine from her bladder (using a needle!!!) and then ran tests on the urine.
Her pH was over 8. Which is apparently really freaking high. The urine sample? Had the most crystals the vet had ever seen in a sample. Ever.
At this point I just about passed out from panic. So my full understanding of the crystals/size/amount isn’t quite where it should be. But she’s now on antibiotics, for two weeks, and it’s being called a UTI. The next ultrasound will help determine the cause a bit better– but so far it seems like no tumor.
She needs a lot more water. I’ll be giving her wet food, adding water and low sodium chicken broth to her kibble. And the anitbiotics twice a day, we’ll re-evaluate in a couple weeks and see what other steps and changes need to be made for her health.
The worst part: She’s been sick for weeks. The vet has no clue why she wasn’t showing symptoms until last night. Nor do I.
So that’s where Belle is at, she’s currently napping by my feet.
Thank you all for the love and well wishes. We’re praying she’ll recover quickly and fully soon.
Thanks to tomboy_femme for clearing up this ADORABLE Belle photo.
Right before she came home.
Traveling Belle- I think this was in the car either to or from the airport in SoCal.
This is many people's favorite baby Belle photo. She is very cute here!
Belle's first boat ride.
Adventure Papillon!
She helps me study....
And of course, Belle had play time at the park!
If you’ve read my blog, or followed me on twitter, you know that I have a 12lb Papillon named Belle. She turns 4 this year and while we’ve hung out with other dogs, with supervision. Here’s Belle and some of her buddies:
Belle with the Boxers at the Horse Rescue
Dawn the Lovely GSD was Belle's friend- the cat was friendly and scared Belle.
My Aunt and Uncle's beautiful Husky
Now I am considering adding to my furbaby family, and I would like to add a larger breed dog. I would prefer the dog to be young but not necessarily a baby. But I’ve only ever owned one dog at a time! I’ve had other multiple animals (horses, sheep, chickens, ducks….) but not dogs.
I’ve done the google search, but I thought I’d turn to you….
Here’s what I need help with (@tomboy_femme prompted my edit):
What do I need to know to introduce a new dog into the house hold, what are some tips/tricks or even what NOT to dos for the doggie addition? What should I look for when adopting?
Is there anything I can do to try to minimize the risk of Belle being injured even unintentionally by the new dog?
I have a highly adorable dog, her name is Belle and she is a Papillons. She turns 4 this year and I just wanted to share some cute with you all out there…
Tonight while going for our walkies Belle and I had a little adventure…
There was a loose,humanless dog out on a walk. (And yes I did have a brief moment of “Aw doggie needs a home” but no doggie didn’t come with us…) No biggie, dogs can go for walks.
And then dog decided to raise hackles and show some teeth.
Cue deep throated Belle growls and making herself as large as possible. She didn’t lunge, she didn’t advance, she just stood firm…
And the dog left.
Yep. Doggie stare down went to the 12lb Papillon. Papillon of DOOM.
(Belle is now guarding me on the couch, convinced she’s quite the guard dog. Yes I’m aware this could’ve turned out differently, but we weren’t close to the dog so I felt comfortable in my ability to grab [leashed] Belle and protect us both.)
