Baked Alaska

This week's photo hunt theme is sad. This picture represents sad to me because it is my beloved Abby, who passed away a week after this picture was taken, which will be 2 years this coming February. Abby was a very sweet Westie, and we miss her dearly. When she was 9 or 10, she developed pulmonary fibrosis, then in the last months of her life, lymphoma. When I look at this photo, although she just looks like a puppy to me, I can see that she just looks tired. She was a trooper until the end. Sad...losing a pet who is a member of your family.

Last night my husband brought home our new puppy. He had to bring her aboard the plane with him, and they had two flights to make-Spokane to Seattle, then on to Anchorage. She did pretty well on the plane, but unfortunately, didn't let me sleep much last night.

She's absolutely adorable. Very lovable and playful. I'll post weekly photos of her and everyone who is interested can watch her develop along with us.

Here she is with my husband.

And here she is snoozing away.

This photo was taken on Dec. 6th. Bella is just over 11 weeks old. She is settling nicely into her new home. She is still a very curious puppy who likes to chew on things she shouldn't, and isn't completely keen on the idea of "housetraining". But she already has learned the commands sit and down (although she still has to have a food treat to do the down). And most nights, she quietly goes into her crate for the evening. Unfortunately for us, we still have to set the alarm for around 3am to take her out, then she wakes back up around 6:30am and wants up. I gave her a bath this week, which didn't go too bad, and she was so sleepy afterwards she let me brush every part of her, including her face. She is a very sweet girl, who I know is going to be a great addition to our family (she already is).

I haven't put any photos of Bella up recently, so I thought it was time. She just got a bath today, so she's quite proud of how good she looks. And she's growing-she weighs almost 7 pounds now.

Here's another photo showing off her shy and sexy side!

Bella-sweetly sleeping in her kennel with her head on her stuffed animal.

Sweet puppies are not always sweet-here's the mess she made in the bathroom where she was pinned up while I was working one day last week. Note-puppies do not like to be left alone!

I can't resist but to post photos of my adorable Bella. These new photos were taken yesterday. This first photo was taken as she was laying up on the ottoman.

And here she is, comfortably sleeping on my slipper (well, she was sleeping until she heard the camera). Funny how she goes from biting and chewing my slippers one moment, to deciding they are so comfortable to sleep on the next.

You might be tired of seeing photos of Bella, but I've got to put something on here when I'm not cooking, and I think she's adorable to look at. This picture was taken this past weekend. She does look rather tired in the photo, but last Wednesday she turned 6 months old, and on Thursday, she got spayed. That could have something to do with it.

Bella had visited the groomer once about a month ago, but just got a few areas (eyes, feet, etc.) trimmed. Today she had her first real grooming. I decided to have her cut in a Westie cut, and she turned out adorable. At least I think so, but I think you'll agree. She's really growing up-she doensn't look as much like a puppy anymore.