I caught Bella sniffing. Sniffing. She hasn't done that before. Over the past few days, I've been leaving treats on the floor of the bedroom, scattered here and there, to encourage her to walk around and explore. (Thanks for the tip, Karolin!) Sometimes the crunchy, dried bits of lung or liver remain on the floor. But then, they are gone. Last night, while I was reading in bed, Bella popped up into a seated position, looked at me for a moment, contemplating. She must have decided it would be ok to move around with me there because she got up and began sniffing the floor by her water bowl. Then she sniffed the floor by the dresser. Sniff, sniff around the chair-looking for treats! Bella is using her doggie nose, and has begun to realize what a very fine tool it is. Very fine indeed.
Bella is more comfortable with me, although she doesn't like having her tail wiped, or ears and butt gently cleaned. She will tuck her tail when we come to the door after a walk- the danger point for these ministrations. Bella is letting me pet her, just a little bit, behind the ears. She will sniff my hand when I offer it, and look at me calmly when I have stopped petting her. (I am careful not to look at her directly, and I always approach her from the side.) The whale eyes haven't appeared for weeks. Her panting is less frequent. She watches me all the time, and has made a point of turning her whole head from me to the dresser where the treats are in a not so subtle indication of what she wants. She still won't eat a treat outside of this room. Yummy, soft chicken pieces offered on the porch or in the foyer are ignored, but Bella is beginning to become Bella.
Bella is more comfortable with me, although she doesn't like having her tail wiped, or ears and butt gently cleaned. She will tuck her tail when we come to the door after a walk- the danger point for these ministrations. Bella is letting me pet her, just a little bit, behind the ears. She will sniff my hand when I offer it, and look at me calmly when I have stopped petting her. (I am careful not to look at her directly, and I always approach her from the side.) The whale eyes haven't appeared for weeks. Her panting is less frequent. She watches me all the time, and has made a point of turning her whole head from me to the dresser where the treats are in a not so subtle indication of what she wants. She still won't eat a treat outside of this room. Yummy, soft chicken pieces offered on the porch or in the foyer are ignored, but Bella is beginning to become Bella.
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