Another Good Day

It is such a joy, after all that we have been through in the past two weeks, to look outside and
see Bella relaxing in the sun on the patio, able to breathe with her mouth closed, without fighting for air. I'm really happy for her and I'm very proud of her.

Occasionally, she will startle, when I move a certain way or get up from a chair or the sofa. I don't know where she has been or what has been done to her but those days are over. I
always approach her slowly, with a soft voice. She loves her scratches and tummy rubs and I think for the most part she knows she is safe. With post-traumatic stress, though, it takes a long while to get over it...if they ever completely do. It's that way with people and it's that way with animals.

I once heard a story of a German Shepherd who was the companion of a child on a farm. The boy went up into the hayloft to play and the dog was watching him. The child fell to the ground but his fall was broken by the dog, who laid down and let the boy land on him rather than the hard ground. I don't know if the dog survived but the boy did.

That's what we are dealing with here. Creatures who give us unconditional love and who will lay down their lives for us. It hurts to think of them being mistreated. What must they be thinking as they are going through their suffering? It's heartbreaking. We can only work to get justice for them and pray that people will come to their senses.

9:45PM
I had to run up to Walgreen's for a few things so I put Petie in his crate and said goodbye to Bella. I just leave her in the house because of her reaction to the crate the first night she
was here. I'm never sure what I'll come home to because we are just getting to know each other.
So, I left and she was looking out the window at the door. I was gone about 15 or 20 minutes and when I came home she was sitting at the door, looking out the window. She looked
sooooo beautiful! She was as peaceful as she could be and looked like she had lived here her whole life.

When I came in, her tail started wagging, she was smiling and started to get a little excited which was so adorable. I never thought all of that would happen this quickly. Of course, Petie
was in overdrive, as he always is when we come in so that interests Bella. We all gathered in the kitchen to say hello and everyone was so happy. This is turning out to be a very sweet
little family and Bella is, so far, a peaceful, uncomplicated girl. I hope it is always this way.

When she feels a lot better that could change, in that she might want to roam or whatever but right now, she is just very content. We are all very blessed.
Posted by bknd2anmls at 2:35 PM

Friday, October 17, 2008
I woke up in the den this morning at 9:30A M. Bella was still asleep and I couldn 't hear her breathing at all!! She was just enjoying her sleep, resting peacefully! I got up to make some coffee and she just wanted to stay in bed. So great!! Petie, of course, was the
same......but Petie always wants to stay in bed under his covers :) They both went outside, ate, went to the bathroom and came back inside, where they took up where they left off.
Both are back in dreamland.....just the way it should be.

Just a few days ago I would wake up to Bella struggling for air, worn out. I didn't even like sleeping at all because I didn't want her to be up like that and be alone. For both of us it was
catch a nap here and there. For her to be at Peace this way, to be relaxed, putting on weight, not struggling to breathe..........is a true blessing. I thank God and her doctors for this gift. She just looks beautiful this morning :)

1:10PM
I just added a photo of Bella "At Her Worst" which was just this last weekend. I was so afraid for her at this point. She couldn't breathe, she would choke and have to sit up in order to get
some air. Her respirations were through the roof. It was horrible. You can see from the picture that she was exhausted. It was at this point that I pulled out all my holy cards and lined them up next to her and started praying. I even put some holy water from Lourdes on her head. For those who might be tempted to ask where the Jesus holy card was and think that Catholics forget about Him......don't worry.........He's the first one! That card is hidden in this
picture by Bella's head :) .....but He was the closest One to her. I also sent prayer petitions in to the Poor Clare Monastery in Frayser and the Prayers for Pets online.

Now, she is a new girl. I hope it lasts. She is resting peacefully in the study with me and Petie right now and there are no audible respirations at all. Just a girl enjoying her afternoon
nap, putting on weight, loving her new home. It has been so incredible to see this beautiful dog come back to life. For anyone who truly wants to save a life and give an animal another chance, I would encourage you to go to your local animal shelter and adopt.

3:30PM
I had to go to the vet's office to pick up meds for Petie and Ollie. I was gone about 15 minutes and when I got back, my girl, Bella Rose McManus, met me at the door, was smiling and
wagging her tail!! I couldn't believe it! She has a life in her today that I have not seen before. Of course, I think she is learning about the "welcome committee" from Petie because he goes off the charts when I get back. It's all very cute :)

8:45PM
This has been Bella's best day by far. It's been a joy to see her enjoy herself and be almost freefrom the medical problems. Yes, she still has some abnormal breathing but compared to
where it was, it's wonderful. I just gave her the first Mucinex DM for the whole day when her breathing became a little labored but for the most part, today, she has been relaxed,
happy, enjoying her food and her family. She is a sweet little
soul. She has about 3 or 4 favorite spots in the house, depending on where we are. When Petie and I move to another room, she comes with us. I am very grateful for this day and being able to see her at her "personal best" so far! :)
Posted by bknd2anmls at 11: