[~LS~]

After work hubby took Rocky, Benji and Chanel for a hike up the mountain...
it's about 4 hours to get there and 4 hours to get back. So since Bella could not
go with them she came with me to the hair salon so I could get my much needed
haircut. Wow did she ever surprise me! She was so good. I was so proud of her.
She lied in her carrier(I had it open so she could see everything), and she just
watched me the entire time. The staff all took turns one by one and gently met
her and talked sweet nothings in her ear. She actually wiggled her bum when a
hairdresser spoke to her in Hungarian, it was so nice to see her unafraid. Sure
she was hesitant, but I took the time to explain to the ladies there how to
properly approach her, which we only did after about 20 minutes of Bella just
observing the premises from her safe carrier, and it went great. I took a couple
of quick photos to share with you girls.

Waiting for the hairdresser & using the free time for a little reading and cuddling...

Mom, I'm pwetty already, I don't need a haircut!

The entire time I had my hair done, which was only a few minutes, but still a
while for her, she was on the ground, right next to my feet, just watching me,
sitting there so patiently. Such a good girl. I kept telling her how good she is.

She even took a couple of treats from the Hungarian lady(I brought liver
treats with me), which is such progress. I'm still amazed. Hubby & I have
been taking Bella with us on walks every day, she met children and adults,
a few dogs, but today the changes I saw were so extreme, I just can not
believe how much 3 weeks of socialization paid off. She's a brilliant dog, she
just needed someone to work with her, expose her, teach her. I mean she is
a pleasure to work with, her rehabilitation might take much less time than I
thought! I will continue working with Bella for the rest of her life no doubt,
I do with all of my dogs, keep them learning, keep their minds stimulated, so
it does not end here, I just wanted to share a little success with you all.

I'm a big softy I know, but this experience brought tears to my eyes, because
just to think a few weeks ago she was terrified of every human and today she
not only tolerated people being near her, but even accepted some treats. Wow.

 

[pupluv168]

Wow! I am so proud of Bella. I knew from the moment that you told us her story that you were the person to help her become the dog that she is deep down. It is so heartwarming to see how she has progressed with a little bit of time and some hard work. I am so glad that she did well! She is an amazingly smart little girl determined to overcome her obstacles.

 

[doginthedesert]

Good job Bella! She was so lucky to find you.

 

[~LS~]

Wow! I am so proud of Bella. I knew from the moment that you told us her story that you were the person to help her become the dog that she is deep down. It is so heartwarming to see how she has progressed with a little bit of time and some hard work. I am so glad that she did well! She is an amazingly smart little girl determined to overcome her obstacles.

Ashley I'm telling you she has this "look" in her eyes that just screams "teach
me, I'm trying to understand you". I think you can even see it on some pictures.
I'm overwhelmed with emotion. Both hubby & I have been slaving for her, the
last three weeks were work morning to night, not one break, no matter what we
did Bella was included and was getting some kind of lesson out of it. I was not
prepared to see such results so soon. I can not wait to see her blossom even
more, to see how she acts in a month time. It's exciting. I feel like she is
already happier. I hope she is.

Before the salon she got to stretch her feet on the grass and we practiced
"sit" and "stay", I think that tired her out a bit and contributed to the good
behavior, but still, I'm impressed.

 

[svdreamer]

Such a pretty girl. I'm so glad her natural personality is coming out. These little dogs are resilient and constantly amaze me. I think as she becomes more settled and comfortable, you will see a sunny little girl emerge.

 

[~LS~]

Good job Bella! She was so lucky to find you.

I'm the lucky one. She's already had such a positive impact on me.

 

[~LS~]

Such a pretty girl. I'm so glad her natural personality is coming out. These little dogs are resilient and constantly amaze me. I think as she becomes more settled and comfortable, you will see a sunny little girl emerge.

Absolutely Pam! I'm telling you, I watch her and learn. Sure it looks like I'm
teaching her, but really I'm getting more out of it than she is. Watching her
makes me feel invincible, like I can overcome anything. I love this girl.

 

[Tink]

I'm so glad you got to take her to the salon with you. With both mine I tried to expose them to every possible scenario to help with their socialization, and enable them to be relaxed (well, as relaxed as this hyper little breed ever gets lol!) no matter what.

I've taken them with me to stores, to get a pedicure, to therapy, to the movies......you name it, and I've probably taken one or the other there. It's SO beneficial. And, like you, I've tried to have people interact with them too (except when I've snuck them in somewhere lol!) and get them acclimated to other people dealing with them and talking to them. I had a harder time with Tango than I did with Jazz. I rescued him when he was over 7 months, and he'd already developed some bad habits (a bit nippy and growly, plus he was very fearful) whereas Jazz was a rescue at 11 weeks so she didn't have as much to overcome.

You're doing a really good job with Bella. No matter how much effort we put into our dogs, they repay us ten thousand percent. The return to us is really priceless!

 

[lulu'smom]

Bella IS a very smart girl--she knew Mama was getting beautiful, so be on her best behavior. And we all know girls love salons. LOL

 

[elaina]

awww, she is such a little sweetheart, i love, love, love her !!! the photos of Bella at the salon are all so adorable , and the cherry dress looks really cute on her

 

[Lisa T]

LS you have done it again, every time I read your post I get a bit teary. Happy tears though for you and that gorgeous girl. X

 

[AussieLass]

There's a LOT of things in those eyes of hers, an awful lot, and they're all just the purest, deepest love and "knowing". Some dogs have it, some dogs don't .... this dog got more than x 100 other dogs' worth

 

[Kalisee]

There's a LOT of things in those eyes of hers, an awful lot, and they're all just the purest, deepest love and "knowing". Some dogs have it, some dogs don't .... this dog got more than x 100 other dogs' worth

I agree 100%..you can see this from the very first picture that was shared. This dog does have x100 worth because she is truly loved by people who have never been in the same room with her. That, thanks to her new mama and papa and brothers who work so hard to let her feel that.

 

[Buildthemskywards]

I'm so glad she's come along so quickly. Just imagine what she'll be like after a bit more time with you! It's amazing what you can do for such a beautiful little girl. For what it's worth, she looks very happy to me. In some of the pictures she just looks so content. I love seeing pictures of her. I never used to be a big fan of short haired chihuahuas but this site is really changing my mind because most of my favourites are the short haired ones! I never tire of looking at beautiful Bella. I wish it was more open here in the UK. Most places won't allow dogs and you get some strange looks if you walk around with a dog in your arms.

 

[KrystalLeigh]

Aw, way to go, Bella! She's amazing. Can't believe she stayed in the carrier the whole time! Also, very cool that your salon lets your bring your dog along... although how could anyone resist that face?

 

[fayzoe]

Awwww sweet little Bella. She looks so happy spending time with her lovely mum LS. She is a very lucky girl to have found you and your hubby to be her new mum and dad.xx

 

[rms3402]

Wow! That is so amazing. I'm so proud of her!! I can just imagine the joy you are feeling! She even looks mire vibrant already and has such a special glow to her! I can't wait to continue to see/hear her progression!!!

 

[~LS~]

Aww what a nice feeling it is to read such kind replies. Thank you girls.

You know that saying "One step forward, two steps back"?...well that is what
happened to Bella's overall progress today. At the park today she barked
her little head off at a little boy. Would not calm down, so we had to leave.
It's like something just "went off" in her head, she was literally terrified of
him although he never approached her, kept his distance, just looked at
her. My other dogs all took turns meeting him, but Bella was showing teeth
believe it or not, so we took her out of that situation, she was visibly very
upset, I did not want to push her. I don't know if it's because she had a
very active, long day, maybe going to the park was pushing it. Or if it's
because she is afraid of young children. We've met kids before, but never
this small. Either way, the work is far from over. Hopefully we are able to
curb this behavior. I remained calm the entire time, so hopefully she feeds
off my energy, but this time no luck, she was in her own world. And you
know the father of the kid was laughing and smiling like it's cute, but it
really isn't, just because she is tiny does not mean it's acceptable. If she
was a large breed dog I'm sure he would not find it funny, but would take
his kid and leave. Anyways, lots of work ahead of us! Wish us luck!

 

[KritterMom]

Awwww what a great job bella. Shes so beautiful!!

 

[Wuviegrl]

Bella is such an inspiration. on the little boy, could it be she has a traumatizing experience with one before and that could have triggered it.. Hope she gets over it.