Another Update on Miss Bella (Or Stormy learns more of life's lessons)

I know this blog is BELLA'S blog. But I just want to mention that over the past 3 weeks, I have gone from "Oh she's so beautiful, I might just keep her", to "Holy Buckets, what the heck was I thinking???".

Someone just shoot me and end this madness! I've even gone so far as to email the Great Dane Rescue on at least two occasions when I was (almost) quite literally having a meltdown.

Bella IS beautiful. Bella IS smart. Bella is big, and goofy and affectionate. She loves to LEAN into her human counterpart, like all Danes-which I find so cool. Bella also enjoys counter surfing, chewing everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) in sight. The day I came home and there was a large (well way bigger than my fist) hole in the side of my house and plastic pieces all over my yard (she discovered my dryer vent and had removed it from the outside wall of my house), or the laminate on the counter top that she pulled off, the one and only time she had an accident in the house that happened to be the 5th time she broke out of her kennel one night (now using baling wire to support the kennel on all available corners and edges as the Super Strong zip ties were as helpful as a restraining order that an abusive husband just walks right through), well on all those moments and even more I'm not able to talk about, without feelings of Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder hitting me, I really had to wonder what I have gotten myself into.

A full time job, two 85 pound German Shepherds (one with special needs due to Mega Esophagus and history of aspiration pneumonia secondary to the Mega Esophagus), as well as a few other family dynamics that have kept me running, are enough to keep anyone busy.

But then there are moments that make me realize Bella is an awesome girl. She LOVES everyone. From the kids who drop by, to Diesel, my younger Shepherd with the Mega E; to even Jaxson my Alpha boy who constantly has to challenge anything and any one (other canines included) to assert his Alpha role. Bella takes it all in stride and plays along with whatever comes her way. Although she still gets a little "mouthy" when excited and playing outdoors, she still remains sweet and affectionate-and has shown no aggressive behavior to any one or any animal.

When it is just Bella and I inside, she remains very curious. She is constantly sniffing everything, investigating every corner....even places that there is NO WAY she could possibly fit under, like my computer table, or the small TV stand with the rabbit ears hanging precariously over the back that are balanced like a house of cards, to the TV stand beside the recliner, that in no way can stand in an upright position when she crawls under it despite the fact that there are 10 pounds worth of "stuff" on it including his full glass of water - which all goes toppling to the floor once Miss Bella crawls under it. But she doesn't seem to notice the mess, as she has moved on to more adventurous tasks like toilet paper rolls that she tries to dismount from the wall, or chewing on the deer antlers I once had on my end table that I have since hidden two weeks ago, that she "found".

But when I get her to focus on ME, and make eye contact and I bring my hands up by my face, she comes to ATTENTION. She actually stops and looks at my hands to see what I am going to tell her. This part alone, getting her to LOOK at my hands when I tap her, has taken all of 3 weeks. I don't think she can hear me, but she has sure picked up on basic American Sign Language. Already, she knows sit, come, and no. We are working still on the STAY command. This one I think she just doesn't do because she really has better things to do (like counter surf, or finding the leg to my baby grand piano to chew on), I think she could STAY if she so desired, she just hasn't learned yet that I am her Alpha. In her mind she is a "people" which is a quality I have seen in other Danes my family has owned. She doesn't KNOW she is a dog. She doesn't know she is a BIG dog. She is an approximate 9 month old puppy in an 80 pound body. One that until coming into my home, has not been taught basic house manners/behavior. And THIS is NOT HER fault.

So do I regret fostering Bella? Well only during meltdowns (mine not Bella's) after working a 12 hour shift, or a couple of long shifts in a row before the 70 mile drive home, and also working with my own two dogs, and when she gets so destructive to property even when I turn my back for as little as 1 or 2 minutes- I wonder about my own sanity and ability to make responsible decisions.

Other times though, when I actually stop my world, and put my "boys" outside to play and I focus on just Bella and play with her, or work with her in basic obedience, or just sit back and watch her silly goofy antics-well then I feel blessed to have her in my life-if only for a few weeks or months. It isn't her fault that no one til now took the time to teach her and work with her. She must certainly feel lost, homeless, confused, and abandoned. To top that, she has to contend with two German Shepherds who lived here first and think she is the intruder. She takes that part quite well-she still wants to romp and play despite Jaxsons' attempts at reminding her she is just a guest.

Bella is food driven and has a strong play drive (note I did not say "prey" but "play" drive). These two things are both being used as a training reward. Once Bella has learned some basic commands, she is going to make the right family an awesome dog. She just needs to work through her puppy antics and learn a few more basic commands. She still cannot be trusted alone in a room indoors - she will need someone in the room or nearby or she will get into people stuff. She does not ride well if not kenneled or tethered safely in the car. This one is important to note, because if lose in the car (*not just for safety reasons is this a bad idea), she will climb back and forth to the back seat, to the rear of the SUV and then back over the backseat and into the front seat and attempts to get up on my lap with her head and shoulders all in under two minutes time (which makes it impossible and very unsafe to try to drive).
Did I mention chew toys? Bella requires chew toys. LOTS of chews toys. Trust me on this one.

Bella is earmarked for a previously approved home, and hopefully for Bella's sake she will soon find her way to her forever home.

So this has been a learning experience for me. A lesson in patience, a lesson in realizing how well behaved my own boys are (and they, just like Bella were NOT this well behaved when I first got them), and a lesson in how glad I have friends to pick up the pieces (sometimes quite literally after Bella has a chewing session on yet another household item) and a lesson in love. Love for the other human and canines already living here, as well as for beautiful, goofy and affectionate Bella. For she really is all those things and more.

And if the Great Dane Rescue folks tire of my meltdowns and my pleas to "find her another foster home YESTERDAY, I cannot take another second of this", they are smart enough to send a word of encouragement and a "We have all been there Stormy, hang in there".

I did, after all sign up for this one.

No one came knocking on my door asking me to foster this girl.

She cannot help it she is hard of hearing, and doesn't know the rules. This was something I volunteered for, and I do find myself having to remind myself of this in moments when I think I cannot do this one day longer. My meltdown is usually over within the hour and I've noticed it only comes on the heels of working two long shifts and driving the 70 miles home from work, when my reserves are empty, when I've given all I can give at work, and come home to a handful of Dane Puppy Antics in a giant and curious Dane- but a lovable, cute and goofy Dane. After a few hours sleep and some rest on my part I once again feel revitalized and ready to take on another day of training and play with all of the dogs (Miss Bella included).

Bringing a dog into your home that you know nothing about, and who has been traumatized enough by being uprooted from their former home, a dog you receive very limited information on (when someone dumps their dog at a shelter if they do give them any information, it cannot be trusted). To do all this, takes a special kind of person; I am not so sure I am that person- especially with all I had on my plate even before Bella. I know amongst other lessons, I will come away from this with an entirely knew respect for my friend Norma, Kim, Katie, Stephanie, and other foster friends in both the German Shepherd world and the Great Dane world.

So today's entry should be entitled "Stormy learns more of life's lessons" instead of "Another update on Miss Bella".
Funny, every lesson I have learned in my 47 years of living, has been self taught. I can listen to someone wiser as they talk, until the cows come home, but if I have something in my head, no one and no thing can persuade me otherwise. So another lesson learned for Stormy - and in the process a lost and abandoned Great Dane whom I am teaching obedience and house manners, is concurrently teaching ME some of life's lessons on love, patience, dedication and commitment.

Well that's all I have for tonight. I'll get a few pictures taken this weekend of Miss Bella and post them to this blog.
Over and out *(that's 70's CB talk for I'm out of here-1:24 am is way to late to be up rambling.

Bella learns SIT command

I am teaching her in both the Sign Language for "Sit" as well as giving the verbal command. She got this one down within 3 days. We did several quick sessions a day. So I know Bella is smart and able to learn. It is just that up until now, no one has taught her what is proper doggy behavior. She has learned NOT to jump on furniture. She has the occasional slip-up, but has come SO far in just the two weeks I have had her.
She will get her sutures from the spay out on Monday and will be available for adoption after that. If you are interested in adopting Bella, and have the TIME to spend in obedience training and especially if you have owned Danes in the past, you can find the Dane Rescue at http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com . They also have several other wonderful Great Danes looking for their forever-home.
Here is a video with Bella showing off her SIT via sign language/verbal command.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo3S63ziEfk

Learning the ropes

Just an update on Bella's progress as well as other things.

She is scheduled for her suture removal from the spay on Monday the 26. Once the sutures are out she is ready for adoption.

Already she has learned the sign language for SIT (she IS a smart girl, she learned this in under a week). I use the verbal "SIT" in case she CAN hear me, but it is my hands she is learning to watch. I am working on "COME" this week. We spent the morning on both of these (15" at a time 3 sessions already today). Then I thought I would come back to my computer and check email. I left toys in each room for her, and I could hear her scooting her favorite chew toy across the kitchen floor as I checked email.

All seemed well. She would come in here every 2-3 minutes for a hug or petting and just to see what I was doing.

I got up and checked on her every couple minutes too, when she was in the kitchen with her chew toy. This is progress, since initially I could not leave her alone in a room for more than 30 seconds without her destroying something, climbing up on something, chewing up something, etc.

Well she lasted 10 minutes alone with me checking every 2-3 minutes as she played with the toy in the kitchen. I had just checked and returned to my computer and I heard an unusual sound. I ran back into the kitchen. She had climbed up on one of the kennels where the tub of dog food (40# of food) was kept and pulled it down, removed the sealed lid and had the food spread all over the floor (all 40 pounds of it).

I quickly verbalized the word NO and did the sign language for NO, followed by the sign for "TIME OUT" (She doesn't know this one yet, but I threw that one in for good measure as I think she will need to learn it). I then put her in her crate. I don't want her to associate her crate with negative things, but I had no where else to put her. (Suggestions on any other way to have handled that one?)

I'll give her 10 or 15 minutes in there, then let her out and try again.

My goals this week are to reinforce the SIT, teach the COME (in sign language and verbally in case she is hearing) and to foster some independence within the house while teaching her not to be destructive to property.

I think whoever adopts her is going to need to be fully aware that Bella is not a girl you can leave unsupervised. We have made SOME progress with that, but as you can see, she cannot be left alone for more than a couple minutes, and even then she will need her toys fully available so she doesn't get into "people stuff". I learned too, that she DOES jump on you when outside playing. She gets excited and she is VERY energetic and she does jump up (next lesson is the down command). She is also mouthy at that point. But she is less than a year old, so has so much puppy in her. Wherever she came from, she was not taught ANY basic commands, she has NO house manners, and although she is a very sweet girl, she is just like a 2 month old puppy as far as her behavior goes, but inside an 85 pound body-which makes her very destructive to whatever she gets hold of. She is however, 100% potty trained. (No accidents indoors at all).

If she does hear, it is minimal. When outside yesterday afternoon, she was startled when I came up to her, although I called her name and was talking to her as I came toward her (from behind), I did startle her once I came into her view. Sometimes though, it appears she can hear noises, so I don't know. I do know she is hard of hearing at the least.

She is not a dog a first time Dane owner would want. They would probably never want a Dane again if this was their first. All they would see is how she ate their couch and destroyed their household items. She needs someone who understands Danes and how they "tick". They do think differently than other breeds. They are their own unique breed of dog. Danes do not know they are dogs. They think they are humans. Their perception and their interaction with their world reflects this. They are "gentle giants" in the true sense of the word (when properly trained in basic obedience).

Bella will need a home where her owner has either trained them in the past or is willing to get her into obedience training ASAP as well as be with her 1:1 when she is not in her crate.

More updates to follow.

Out of surgery

Monday July 19, 2010

I picked Bella up from the vet an hour ago. Today she had her spaying done. She is rightfully groggy, and tired.She is sleeping in her kennel with her blanket and body pillow.
Stitches come out in 10 days. No rough playing for the next week, so we will have to keep her away from "the boys". Those two Shepherds would really give Bella a run for her money.
So tonight I hope she dreams sweet dreams and tomorrow, I hope she feels like getting up and around a little.

After her stitches are taken out, she will be ready for her forever-home.

Sweet dreams beautiful girl.

Well that didn't last long. 2 hours later she wanted outside to take care of business. Only she didn't want to come back in.

http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com

Bella meets our Alpha dog

FRIDAY JULY 16, 2010

Bella has been with us just under one week. Up until now, I have kept my Alpha neutered male Shepherd and Bella in separate rooms. They also were never outside together. My Alpha (Jack) is very protective of me and of the property, and the initial introduction when both were on leashes didn't go too well. Jackson showed aggression and Bella did not seem to pick up on it and continued to want to play. That was a few days ago.

Today, we decided to try again. It is very stressful on Jack to be separated from me and it is stressful on all of us to always keep the two dogs apart. Since Bella is getting along so well with Diesel, we decided today to give things another try with Jack.

Again, a picture or two (or three) is worth a thousand words, so here you go: (once again my camera thinks it is two day from now, but it is really "today").

CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO SEE LARGER VIEW

Update on Bella

CLICK PICTURE FOR LARGER VIEW

Thursday JULY 15, 2010:
Well Bella has been here with us for about 5 days.

Bella is a very sweet and gentle dog. Not a mean bone in her body.

She plays well with one of my Shepherds. They run all around my fenced in 2 acres, romping and playing. I have not officially introduced her to my Alpha Shepherd, as he is very protective of me and of the house. Although the one time I did try to introduce them (with both on leashes by two different people), Bella just wanted to play. My Shepherd was on guard though, and when the hair on his neck stood up and he growled, I immediately stopped the introduction. But this was not Bella's fault. It was more my own Shepherd not wanting to be friends. Bella still wanted to play and she didn't seem to pick up on the body language my Alpha Shepherd was sending her direction.So I immediately stopped that introduction and have kept them separate every since then. She does however, play well with my 3 year old more docile shepherd.

On major thing I have noticed with Bella, is that she has no manners. She doesn't know how to walk on a leash (she pulls you and does not heal). She can be VERY destructive when left unsupervised in the house even for brief moments.
She is still a puppy though, and she has obviously had no training. A basic obedience class with her new owner would teach her some basic manners and commands and would give the new owner and Bella a chance to bond.

She has shown no aggression with food. I can walk up to her in the middle of her meal, and reach down and take her food away, and she just sits there looking at me with those beautiful blue eyes, waiting for me to return it. She has a very healthy appetite. She is currently being fed a high quality grain-free dog food.

I think if she is in a home with someone who has had Danes in the past and with someone who has the TIME to spend in obedience training and 1:1 supervision when not in her Kennel, she will make someone an awesome dog. She has a lot of energy, and would require a large fenced-in yard.Although she loves playing outdoors, she is like most Danes in that she just wants to be around her "people". So she is happiest when with us in the same room.

She is less than a year old. Up to date on immunizations, is on Heart Guard and on Frontline.

I thought at first when I picked her up earlier this week, that she was deaf. I am not convinced this is the case. I think she may be a bit hard of hearing, but I think she hears some of the things said to her. I am teaching her basic commands such as "sit" by using the verbal command as well as the sign language for "sit", just in case she cannot hear me.

I cannot stress enough, how gentle and sweet and beautiful she is. But she needs someone who has the time to focus on her and build a relationship and take the time train her in basic obedience, such as heal, sit, come, stay, etc. Also someone who can monitor her in the same room because she can become very destructive of property when left alone even if for just a few minutes. So she still needs to learn house manners and know what things she should not be playing with, or chewing up and differentiate those things from her own chew toys.

She is also good with children (See pictures from earlier entry).

She will go in Monday for her spay.

More updates to follow

So How is Bella with kids?

Sunday July 11, 2010
They say pictures are worth a thousand words, so here you go:

(CLICK PICTURES TO SEE LARGER VIEW)

Ok, here are the pictures!

You will have to disregard the fact that my camera thinks it is two days from now. The pictures are real. The date is not.

These Gentle Giants

I will maintain til the day I die, that until you’ve sat on the ground and witnessed in person the beauty of a Great Dane running straight toward you at full speed, you haven’t fully lived.

The End of the Day

A very, very long car ride and an hour or more of romping around in the yard has left Bella exhausted.

She is a real girl-she loves her body pillow!

Aren't all kids and dogs beautiful when they sleep? I think we are ALL tired after today.

Bella

I picked up Bella today on what was the last leg of a very long journey for her. She had left a shelter early this morning and mine was the last leg of her long day that brought her to my foster home. She has spent the past week in a shelter after being abandoned by her former owner.

I arrived at the designated meeting area to pick her up from another volunteer who had driven her on the previous leg of her journey. When Bella got out of the car, my heart fell out onto the pavement of the Arby's parking lot. She was the reincarnate of the only other Great Dane I have ever owned!

My Dane Jade and this new "puppy" could have been sisters! Sadly, Jade left this world after living 11 years-a long time for a Dane.

As I picked my heart up off the concrete pavement of the Arby's parking lot, I briefly recalled the words that one of the Great Dane rescuers had jokingly said to me a few days before...something about the first foster Dane being a "foster failure". Meaning the Dane would fail to get adopted because the foster mom would end up keeping her.

See for yourself.

First a picture of Jade

And now a picture of Bella:The same ice-blue eyes, and mix of Merle and Harlequin colors....

Did the god of Great Dane Forever Homes do this on purpose?
Can you read the writing on the wall?

Well the wall is wrong.

I am not adopting a third dog. Two German Shepherds, a Full Time job, a Motorcycle to ride and Veterans to honor, a Piano to play, and a Guitar to learn all make me busy enough.

So the wall is wrong.

This is my new FOSTER dog. As in, keeping-her-for-10-weeks-or-so-until-she-goes-to-her-forever-home, dog.

Seriously.

(If after reading Bella's Tale you are interested in adopting a Great Dane, go to http://www.greatdanerescueinc.com )