The Rainbow bridge

Belle crossed the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon with her parents and brother at her side.

She is now at home, in the backyard she loves.

We will all miss her terribly but know she is now running free with her friends on the other side...

My last entry

     This will be my last blog entry.  I’ve been having lots of medical problems for the last month.  I have a liver meant for a 10 pound dog and I’m a svelte 39 pounds.  It’s a wonder I didn’t have problems sooner. Maybe I did and didn’t know it.  The vet says it’s a form of hepatic encephalopathy.  My dad tried to me feed this morning, but I wasn’t hungry any more. Me, Belle the dog that inhaled her food!  My parent’s had to get me a special bowl to slow down my inhalation of food.  I wouldn’t take my medication or drink any water.  I couldn’t stand and was having tremors.

    As Stephen in Brave Heart said, “ he’s not right in the head”. That’s what I feel like.  I’m trying to fight it, I have to. I’m a stubborn Shiba Inu! But it’s not working anymore.

     Well, I had a very good run. Good parents when I lived in New Orleans, and a litter of pups that will carry on my Shiba Inu genes. My best friend Melanie took care of me at Bide-A-Wee when I was rescued from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She made certain I got a great new family, which I did.

      I had an extraordinary time with my current family.  We celebrated  and enjoyed holidays and birthdays (especially mine) - loved those candles. Always liked the Jewish holidays (except Yom Kippur, I had to fast). I didn’t know I was Jewish. My favorite holiday is Hanukkah - 8 days of candles, potato latkes and donuts.  I even had my own canine shaped menorah.  One Hanukkah, I got my paws on the leftover box of donuts. Boy, were they good, except for the jelly ones, I left those for my parents.

      I’m a sous-chef. I assisted my mom whenever she cooked. One of my jobs was to keep the kitchen or camper floor clean.  I expertly get in the way whenever possible.

     On occasion I would spend time in my pied-a-terre on the upper eastside of Manhattan.  It’s a very nice co-op on the 30^th floor with a view of the East River. It was my Grandpa Moe’s until he passed away.  My brother Josh lives there.  Some times, Josh and Jin would hear my toes clicking on the exposed wood floor, as I sniffed around at night time.

     I’m a Met’s celebrity. I led the dogs around the outfield at “Bark in the Park” for 3 years. Once at Shea Stadium and the other two times at CitiField.  I like Shea better.

     I was involved in law enforcement when my dad was a deputy sheriff. When he was a tour commander at Family Court I would come by during his evening tour and help calm the deputies during their meal break.  I’d stay for a while and they want me to come with them on their assignment of arresting people.  My dad said I couldn’t because we didn’t have a canine equipped patrol car at Family Court.

     One of the spectacular things I did was going camping with my parents.  We had Airstream travel trailer. I had the whole back seat of the truck to myself.  My Ram truck (with the Cummin’s diesel) was much quieter than the Ford diesel we had.  The Ram even had a heated rear seat for me.  You didn’t know I was a diesel dog.

     I would go to rallies all over the country, made 3 WBCCI International Rallies, numerous Region rallies, and unit rallies. I went on the Cajun Caravan and my parent’s led American Revolutionary War Hudson Valley Caravan. I traveled all the way to Alaska, barked at bison on the Alcan Highway, got my paws dirty in the mud of the Teklanika River, and eat lots of salmon. 

     When camping I always enjoyed Happy Hour and campfires.  I helped to keep the Happy Hour area clean. When the other canine attendees would lie facing the camp fire, I would be facing out, keeping an eye on any unwanted 2 or 4 legged intruders.

     I have met a lot of canine friends on these trips. My daschund friends Bentley and Bailey  (I call them lunch and dinner), Misty (a rescue like me), Heidi (deceased), a silly weimaraner  who liked to stick her head in prairie dog holes. And my close friend and food begging partner Clancy.  My Tampa, FL  friends, Benji the Basenji, and Jazz, the crazy Labradoodle.  My cousin’s Max (deceased) Teddy and even Izzie the cat. My Aunt Ellen says that I was the smartest of the family canines. But of course! There are other canines that I have befriended in my numerous travels. I have forgotten their names but not their scents.

     My most favorite place back on Long Island is MY backyard. I fertilized it generously when home and keep out many squirrels, birds and especially possums.  You can take the girl out of Louisiana, but not Louisiana out of the girl.  I used to bark and growl at my great neighbor Sal, but he should know I always liked him. 

      I have a favorite place when I was down in Florida, the dog beach at Ft DeSoto Park.  Not that I went into the water. It’s such a lovely venue.  I was off my leash and allowed to roam the beach. I got my paws wet and it always felt good to have sand in my paws.  

    So that’s it. I will go to the Vet for the last time, I hope Dr Socci is there.  She took such good care of me. Being a girl, I prefer a female Vet. You girls know how it is.

     See you across the bridge some day ;-).  Not to soon I hope and DON’T forget to bring some Bully Sticks  for me and my friends.

Belle

Another rally

Although I have not been in perfect health these last few weeks I did manage to go to an Airstream rally over the weekend.  There I was admired both by those who already knew me and some new friends.

This is me with my dear friend George.  George helped me and my parents get my Airstream and he takes good care of it now when it has problems.

This is me and George.

And this is me resting after all the excitement.

I'm slowing down...

Unfortunately it has not all been begging and bully sticks on the trip.

I got some sort of infection that made me very uncomfortable.

My parents took me to two vets and I felt a little better.

After we got home I went to my usual vet.  He gave me some pills and told me I am getting old.

It is true - I am.

I cannot run up the stairs anymore - I've been sleeping downstairs or letting my Dad carry me upstairs.

My legs hurt and my food doesn't taste as good as it did.  It's harder to chew my bully sticks so my parents found softer treats for me...

I sleep a lot.

My parents love me so much I know that it hurts them when I am not well.

I hope that I get better soon.

A Caravan

My parents ran a caravan this summer.  A caravan is a group of Airstreams doing things together.  This one had to do with things that happened a long time ago when Americans won their freedom from England.  People wore funny clothes then but I am a tolerant canine - as long as they don't make me wear funny clothes!

Since it was hot a lot of the time my parents kept me cool in my Airstream.  But I did get to go to one fort (a special place) and get a lot of attention from Ranger Jeff.

He told me how happy he was to see a canine visiting his fort, especially one as beautiful and well behaved as myself.

My busy summer

My parents and I have done a lot this summer.  That's my excuse for not updating my blog as I should have.  I do need someone to help me sometimes - remember - no opposable thumbs.

First we went to Providence to see my cousin Jon graduate from Brown University.  This is my cousin Jon and my aunt and uncle

I had the opportunity to explore a new city...

 at least the lower portions of it....

Then we went to an Airstream Rally.  I always enjoy those.  I got to make a new canine friend - Missy.  Missy barked a lot.

This is me and Missy...

After the rally we did a lot of driving.  I often helped my parents with directions.

...and you can imagine how happy I was to find this exclusive area, just for me, at one of the rest stops.

 When we got to MIchigan I was delighted to see my dear friend Clancy and his parents Irene and Jerry...

Clancy and I have so much fun together...

 Aren't we cute?  Wouldn't you give us treats?????

Unfortunately Clancy had an accident with his paw and was forced to wear one of these strange collars.

But as soon as he figured out how to lick his paw even with the collar his parents took it off!  We canines are so clever!

The highlight of the trip was when my parents took me on a short ferry ride on the St. Mary's River.

Our next stop was in Syracuse to see my aunt and uncle and Grandma Emily.  Also my cousin Teddy, another very noisy canine.

He's the one with the bushy tail.

While in Syracuse I visited my dear friends Bill and Jerry who have a lovely house on a lake with a funny name - Skinny Atlas - I enjoyed lying in the sun.

My trip to Rhode Island

This Memorial Day weekend we traveled up to Newport Navy Station to camp. 

On Sunday we drove up to Providence for my cousin Jon’s graduation from Brown University. He received a BS in computer science. I stayed in my Aunt Ellen's room in the Marriott during the family celebratory dinner. My brother Josh has a degree in computer science and a Masters. I was at Princeton University 3 years ago for cousin Erica’s graduation.  She’s in medical school now studying for her medical boards.  My Grandma Emily, Aunt Ellen and Uncle Gary are very proud of Jon. Jon is moving out to California to work for Google. 

This is Jon and his parents.  He is wearing the funny hat.

 

I had the opportunity to explore some of Providence. 

This Memorial Day let us honor all our service members and veterans, past and present for their service to our country. My grandpa Moe and dad are veterans.  So are a lots of my friends. God Bless America.

Mother's Day at Bark in the Park

On Mother's Day I took my Mom, my Dad, my brother Josh and Jin to Citifield for Bark in the Park.  For the third time I got to lead about 300 canines around the outfield of the stadium.I do it so well.

 Walking around the outfield with my mom.

I'm making new friends

Here I am with my Dad and Jin and Josh

Daily life

I know it has been a while since my last posting.  While back on Long Island I have been conducting numerous night patrols of my back yard, sniffing all around the house and resting. No four legged trespassers.  It's hard work, but I'm the only canine who can do it.

My parents have been going to their usual doctors to make certain they are up to the task of traveling with me in the summer. 

They've also been doing work around the house. The basement toilet backed up and I was smart enough not to go sniffing down there.

And they went to visit my Grandma Emily in Syracuse and I got to stay with my BFF Melanie!

 This is me and Melanie.  I'm not really trying to run away...

Sounds

"You're in charge" and the slam of a door - two of the saddest sounds a canine can hear.  They mean that your parents are going out and leaving you alone.

Where do your parents go?  I know where my parents go - they show me pictures but that doesn't make me any happier.

Guarding

Remember my resume?  I am a possum exterminator and a guard as well as an esteemed blogger.

Therefor it was not surprise that I was called upon to guard an open air driver's meeting on or Cajun Caravan.

Here I am in my guard position...

I return to Louisiana

As you all know I am originally from Louisiana.  I survived Hurricane Katrina.

My parents and I are currently in Louisiana on a road trip.

I am back in Louisiana for the first time since I left in 2005.  My parents arranged for me to have a special welcome at a rest stop in Louisiana.  Everyone was very happy to see me.  They all petted me and gave me treats.  I was happy to be back in Louisiana, especially with my parents....

My birthday

I had a birthday!

I don't know how old I am and I don't know what day my birthday really is.

But I celebrate the day that my parents adopted me!  It was a wonderful day!

This year I celebrated with my parents and some of my friends...

I even had birthday cake!

Visitors

I have had a lot of visitors lately - I am a very charming and therefor a popular canine.

My Aunt Ellen and Uncle Gary stayed for about a week.  I was very happy to pose for a picture with them even though they made me squeak.

That's why you don't see my face...

I've also enjoyed several visits from my dear friends Irene and Jerry and their delightful canine Clancy.  Clancy is quickly becoming one of my closest canine companions.

What a large and noble head!

Dinner out

As much as I enjoy having breakfast out, I also enjoy having dinner out. 

It was finally warm enough for my parents to take me for dinner at Ballast point.

It is pretty there.  However, I really go for the food.

Bath time...and a beauty emerges

I went to the spa.  I was washed, both my coats were brushed (under and over), nails clipped, ears cleaned!

Am I not the most beautiful canine you've ever seen?

My family looks nice too since they're with me:)

A busy day

I had a busy day with my parents today.

First they took me to breakfast.

I studied the menu...

 and gave the waiter my order...a nice bowl of water.

Refreshed, I went out to check my camper at the base...

Fortunately all was well so I could go home and take a nap!

Super Bowl

Naturally I attended a Super Bowl Party at the house of my dear friend Bruce.

The food was plentiful and tasty...

I realize that it looks like I'm asleep in this picture.  But you must admit it was a very boring game and even the commercials were not up to par...except for the one with the canine.

I had a very good time and lots of people remarked about my beauty and good manners.

Gasparilla party

Today I attended a delightful party at the Bayshore Pet Resort.

Delightful as it was, I was even more delighted when my parents came to pick me up!

Notice my festive beads!

For me?

I just got a wonderful delivery of canine cuisine....

A REALLY BIG catch-up with lots of pictures!

Yes, I know I've haven't blogged for a while.  I guess I could blame it all on my Mom as people usually do, but I am an honest canine and, while it has been partially my mom's fault it has been mine too - the perils of an unexciting life...

First off let me wish everyone a Happy New Year!  I graciously took this photo with my family for them to distribute to their friends...

And my mom took this one to distribute to the fans of my new book "Belle the traveling dog follows the Lewis and Clark Trail 2013."  It is a blockbuster!

We had a lovely family holiday. My Dad helped me light my menorah and on Christmas Day I found a lovely bone in my stocking.

 When Josh and Jin came over I helped them open their presents!

Then I went on a road trip!  It was many hours of driving.  But, my tummy was full, my seat was warm and I was content!

I was so excited when we arrived at a big campground with my friends Josh, Irene, Jerry and of course my dear friend Clancy.

Clancy and I hosted several food related events....

This delicious breakfast included many of my human friends.

I also had the opportunity to take a hike with a park ranger.  All rangers love me since I am so well behaved.  This is me with ranger Dave..

After all this excitement and exercise Clancy and I often fell asleep....

Sleep is good.