Bringing up Bella: Follow up Friday 5

Oh my dog, what happened to February? (For that matter, what the heck happened to March!!!) I went looking for what number Follow up Friday this would be and realized I seem to have misplaced an entire month. :(

Anyway, on to some follow up and then I want to take a moment to talk about some blog-keeping notes.

First, the follow-up:

"Black & White Sunday: Let me in..." had a lot of people wondering why Bella, apparently already inside, wanted to be let in and in where? This picture was taken Christmas morning and Bella wanted to be let in to the room with her presents. (Which is actually the basement.) Sorry about that.

Going back just a little further to a week ago Wednesday's post "A little nervous", this was actually a fairly recent picture taken just in January of this year in her agility class. As far as Bella has come, she still gets nervous sometimes but is learning more and more to look to us for assurance.

And now a word about Wordless Wednesday 82 Thanks for all the kind words about my beautiful boy, Beau. He was handsome and he knew it. Of course, everyone who met him told him that so, you know...

I will undoubtedly wish Beau a happy birthday every year. I spent a third of my life with him and his presence left an indelible mark on me. But don't worry or feel bad, I no longer dread the day. Although I won't commemorate the day of his passing, his birthday has become a day of appreciation. Beau was A Good Dog.

So, you might notice that this follow-up is a bit thin. That's because I haven't been posting as much as I would like. Which leads me to some blog-keeping issues:

First, allow me to apologize for not keeping up with everyone. I miss you all and look forward to maybe having some time this weekend to do catch up.

Second, allow me to apologize even more profusely for doing such a crappy job at recognizing the kind folks who've presented us with awards over the last several months. I swear I had a post written to get me back in to the groove and my PC shut down on me crushing all my pride and enthusiasm that I was finally getting "a round tuit".

Finally, allow me to apologize for letting Bella's agility story wane a bit. I know the next chapter, I just need time to write it.

Now, please, allow me to offer this series of lame excuses for all of the above:

My job is simply out of control. I can't say much more than that but I'll be lucky to have time to breathe over the next 3 months. If I live through the experience, one would hope it will make my life easier going forward.

Jan, being retired, has decided this is the perfect time to begin work on finishing the ceiling in our master bedroom. Fair enough, I've been whining mildly about the lack of such for some time. However, it demands some of my time and attention at times or, at the very least, creates an interesting ambiance what with the scaffolding and air compressor hanging about.

At the same time, our master bath shower decided to crumble and we've spent the last several weeks at glass and fixture stores, talking to plumbers, and ~~fighting over~~ designing the tile layout for a new one.

And let's just say I find myself regularly considering a change in profession as my mind boggles over the estimates people keep delivering to us with a straight face. Really, if you've never been through it, it an incredibly eye-opening experience.

Finally, there's the reason you all are here: our beautiful Bella.

Bella is still doing well in her agility class and her behavior modification program continues as well. However, since September 2012, she has been limping and doctor after doctor hasn't been able to figure out what's wrong or offer her much relief.

She has been going to rehab (details on that forthcoming) and been through a number of vet exams, x-rays and ultra-sounds. It is frustrating and heart-breaking that we haven't been able to ease her pain and on top of it, she can't run and play because we don't know the impact doing such would have on whatever is wrong with her.

She is still our little darling and has been a plucky little soldier through the whole thing but it's discouraging and sapping my energy in ways I never imagined.

Over the last few weeks, she's started having tummy issues (diarrhea, a bit of lethargy, and even a morning barf-fest) and we were back at the vet again today. We're trying a special, limited diet and pro-biotics for now but will probably have to cancel her rehab and agility class if she can't have her special "go-to" treats that help her get through those scary events.

I don't mean to whine. I know this is what life is. But with Bella, just going to the vet is a traumatic adventure and requires careful planning and preparation.

It's also unspeakably heart-breaking to know that, despite all we've done to allay her imaginary fears, when push comes to shove, we can't protect her from real danger.

On the bright side, she has an appointment with a neurologist at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston on Tuesday. The doctor we are seeing has been presented as something of a miracle worker by absolutely everyone we have spoken to so our hopes are high for some sort of resolution or at least a path to progress. We will keep you posted.

In the meantime, I ask for your patience and forgiveness. Bella is the reason I started the blog and right now she takes priority over it. But I do miss you all.

Thank you, Jodi of Heart Like a Dog for allowing us to jump in on your Follow up Friday Hop. We promise to catch up with you, Sampson and Delilah, and all the other blog hoppers this weekend!

The blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.