My Criteria

I have three requirements that I would like Bella to meet.  Just three.  If she meets these three, the rest will be gravy.  First, I want her to take decent walks with me.  She is beginning to meet that requirement.  With encouragement, we are walking longer.  On the first walk of the day, we turn right at the road and walk just past the neighbor's house.  Bella pees, and some 10 to 20 paces after that she does a quick about face and we return-she for her breakfast, and me for my coffee.  For the second walk of the day, a couple of hours later, we have resumed the loop.  We take a left outside the driveway and walk several blocks in a wide circle.  For our reward, we get to see the lake glimmering between the trees.  After, and during this walk, Bella pants a great deal.  She needs to be nudged and encouraged, but she accepts this challenge.  Later in the morning, or in the afternoon we take a couple more walks for bathroom purposes.  At twilight, we walk to the bridge, if Bella is willing.   It is quiet at dusk, and Bella seems more comfortable than she does during the day.  With each venture, I encourage her, but I don't insist-if she tries to turn back more than twice, I yield.

The second requirement that I have for Bella is that she learn to ride in the car without sheer panic.  When I return from my trip, we will work on this challenge.

My third requirement is that Bella learn to accept a bath.  Every two weeks would be wonderful, but I will work with every two months.  I can't see bringing her to a groomer; she would probably believe she was being tortured!  For now, I accept the pee -soiled tail and the dirty white fur at her neck.  I have visions of a cuddly, clean bear shaped dog dancing in my head.