The Student Becomes the Teacher.

We had a "plus one" over the weekend.  We were dog sitting our neighbor's dog, Bliss.  Bliss is a handful to say the least.  At one year old, she is 65lbs of pure strength and energy.  She doesn't just have a high, playful energy like our pack.  She is high strung and intense.  Being so hard for her momma to handle, her worldly experience has been little.  She is exceptionally smart and smart dogs need a high level of stimulation, both physical and mental, which she does not get so her energy is often of the pent up and frustrated kind.  She has grown up with our dogs, so she respects them and knows her roll in our pack, but she hasn't socialized with other dogs and is therefore clueless on how to interact with them.  She had a companion for a while, but they were a mismatch from the start and there were violent fights on more than one occasion. (The other dog has since been re homed for the safety of everyone.)

When we were asked to babysit Bliss, she hadn't yet been introduced to Bella.  Bliss can be dominate with other dogs, not to mention she is nearly three times Bella's size so play dates didn't seem like a good idea.  Introductions went smoothly though, as the two strangers simply mimicked Dixie and Jax's energy.  Over the weekend it was Bella focusing on Bliss, who is hesitant and insecure about dog/dog play.  She pushed and encouraged Bliss just as Dixie had pushed and encouraged her, only a month ago, when she was the one afraid to engage.  It was really something to see.  The brave little girl didn't even react when Bliss got out of hand.  She stood her ground, calm and assertive, until Bliss backed off.  It was this interaction that made us aware of just how far Bella has come.  She learned to be a balanced and confident girl so quickly that we didn't even realize it had happened.  She is a special dog.  A dog who's potential is sky high.  She will be so hard to give up.

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Medical update:

Multiple people have pledged to help pay for Bella's treatment.  I can't thank you enough.  I am gaining confidence that we will be able to raise enough money for Bella to be treated locally and remain with us as she goes through treatment and convalesces. 

She has started her 30 day pre-treatment medication, a strong antibiotic used to weaken the adult heartworms and help control the microfilariae.