The Nights Have Gone To The Dogs!

Okay - one dog in particular.  Bella is proving to be a highlight to the holidays as well a hinderance to our sleeping schedule.  I know - puppies are like newborns.  They cry and whine and eat and poop.  Well, she has taken it one step further.  She is a little sick.  I wound up taking both Ali and Ian into the doctor on Monday and they both have ear infections.  Then, I took Bella to the vet and she has Coccidia - a parasite in her small intestines.  Turns out, all the pups from the littler have it.  So - there's lots and lots of poop, blood, special diet, antibiotics and very little sleep.  It sounds gross (that's because it is).  My hands are getting raw from washing them constantly and now lotion just burns when I put it on.  Oh well - it's the price I pay for loving this little pup.

It's not little Bella's fault and we are doing all we can to make sure she gets better fast.  The kids adore her, when she is not using Ian as a chew toy.  When Bella is feeling a little frisky, she runs towards Ian.  His first response is to cover his crotch with his hands.  I guess Bella has gotten him a few times.  She is really adorable and very playful and also pretty smart.  We are teaching her to go potty in one place outside, she is already sitting on command and learning her name.  She hears "No" a lot - so she and Ian have a lot in common.  

We are looking forward to Bella (or Belly as Ian calls her) getting better so we can get her trained.  She already feels like part of the family.  Derek is trying to become a dog person (but this is going to take time).  I just hope it's sooner than later.  Ian decided he likes Bella's new crate and crawled in himself to check it out.  We were so happy when it was super warm yesterday and spent most of the day outside.  Bella enjoyed a nap sunning herself in the backyard.  Spring can't get here soon enough!