My apologies to all of Bella's fans! It has been way too long since sweet Bella's page has been updated. Well, as can be expected in several months' time, changes have been happening in her life! On December 28, Bella moved to her new foster home after her former foster family added a new puppy to the mix and felt Bella would do better without having to compete for time and attention with a puppy.

Upon arrival, she quickly found a safe place in our living room, under an end table where she could still see all of the action, but felt more secure. She allowed me (FM) to pet her and would gently take treats from my hand. My teenage son and husband could be in same the room, but Bella would keep her distance and watch them. Now that almost three weeks have passed, she will sniff them and allow pets, but still will not take treats from their hands, although she will sniff the treats they are holding. She still is very alert to her surroundings and keeps an eye on the guys. She no longer hides under the end table, but loves sitting on the couch with us. If she is already on the couch, the guys can sit next to her with no problem. If they are there first, she will choose the other couch. She lays her head in my lap and sometimes will lick me if I stop petting her. On the leash, she gets a little skittish if the guys try to walk her. She won't pull as much as walk kind of sideways watching them at all times or walking behind them. She walks like a dream for me, either next to me or slightly ahead with her tail up and wagging. She does not pull at all. Bella knows her name, but still needs work on coming when called. She is still aprenhensive approaching us on command.

Bella is my Velcro girl! She follows me into whatever room I am in, and lays or sits down and waits for me. I work from home, so she comes to my shop every day with me. She has a dog bed under my desk. When a female customer comes, she will pop out and peek at them from a safe distance. When a male customer comes, she stays under the desk. I have a commercial embroidery machine going all day at work. Lots of loud machine sounds and beeping and thumping, and she has no reaction whatsoever to that. Also, the vacuum, phone, and hair dryer don't bother her at all. This is great, since, for example, if we cough or sneeze, she will sometimes jump a little.

I recently babysat my four nieces and nephews, aged 7 months to 10 years old, for a few days. Bella did so well. While she did not approach them and you could tell she was a little uncomfortable with the chaos, she did allow pets and stayed out in the open with them if I was in the room. Also, we have a cat and Bella has paid absolutely no attention to it since day one.

Bella had her double hernia surgery and spay on January 13 in the Cities. It went very well and we are so happy to have it fixed finally! Poor girl had her intestines and uterus tucked back in. No wonder she was uncomfortable!! She stayed with a great foster in the Cities for a few days before and after her surgery. There she got to hang out with three other Golden Retrievers whom she was enamored with. Bella does seem to really enjoy other dogs. Our resident and her spend a lot of time sleeping next to each other on the couch and dog beds. She also tries daily to engage him in play, but he is 11 years old and hasn't been feeling so playful lately. Now that she has her huge hernias fixed, we hope to get her some play dates with more willing playmates.

Bella does have a hip that doesn't have full rotation and grade 1 patellas in her rear knees. Neither of these things are surgery-worthy, but she will be put on a glucosamine supplement and fish oil capsules to keep her joints lubricated and comfortable. She will need to continue this regimen for life. She does not appear to be in very much pain. Bella also has a mouth full of cracked, decayed, or missing teeth, so once she is fully healed from the hernia surgery, she will likely be having dental surgery.

Bella loves going outside and she almost becomes a different dog. Outside, she becomes more confident and her tail wags, and she runs and pounces in the snow and prances on her leash. Outside is where we get to see her big, beautiful smile.

From what I can tell after a few short weeks with her, every day she comes more and more out of her shell and is realizing that this life is actually a good one. It will take more time, but one day, I have every confidence that Bella will be living a happy Golden Life with few reminders of her rough start.

I hope you will consider adding Bella to your family. I promise you won't find a much sweeter girl than this!