November 1, 2017

White Dog asked Bella, "Do you remember when the entire White Dog Army pulled up to your foster family's house to bring you home four years ago? You were so little and shook with fright.We hardly saw you for the first weeks you hid at every chance."

Bailey reminded Bella of how astonished Lori was at our Tiny Dancer's progress just a few weeks ago. Lori fostered both Bella and Bailey; she got a chance to see Bella when she drove Bailey to us to become part of the White Dog Army. Lori told Bella then, "Look at you! Out in the middle of the pack. Barking in the window. Holding your own. AND coming right up to me. I thought you would forever hide from the world and be shy. You are a marvelous wonder." Bella beamed at the compliments.

Bella HAS come a long way. She took on the mentoring tasks when Opal arrived, shy and not social just like Bella was at first. Showing her sister the ropes, I believe, helped Bella "find herself" in a way, too. She has gotten brave enough to demand Steve give attention. She regularly jumps up on the bed to cuddle and watch television at night...and greets me every morning now by standing on my chest.

Of course White Dog and the others planned a wonderful feast of Bella's favorites to celebrate her FOURTH Gotcha Day: chicken, green beans with olive oil and parmesan, mashed potato marbles, and apples sauteed in butter and cinnamon served with a dollop of whipped cream. All were too full after dinner to do the tarantella dance YoYoMa had planned...so we just listened to the music and wagged along.

Bella E Premurosa, Bella the beautiful and caring, our Tiny Dancer, was sent to us by Nuka and marked the second generation of the White Dog Army.

From her original Gotcha Day when the WDA drove out to Farmington NM to bring home our girl:

And Bella, today...