Bailey & Bella

A few things I can tell you about Bella:

- She was born on May 12th 2010.
- She is a faun "Chug" mix puppy with the same parents as Bailey.
- As of her 10th week, she weight 5.5 lbs, she weighed about 1 lb at birth.
- Bella & Bailey are approximately 15 months apart in age.
- I think Bella will end up being a bigger dog then Bailey, she is already growing very fast and has much bigger paws then Bailey did at this age.
- Her appetite is ravenous and she will climb over hell and high-water for a nibble of anything. Yes, she’s being fed enough and no, she does not have worms.
- Bella is proof that pugs are born moochers. We’ve considered renaming her “Minnie the Moocher” – The fridge opens, they are both there. If I am cooking they are patiently waiting for anything and everything that might fall in the process. If we are eating anything out of a bowl, it is fair game and you’d better watch out if they are on the couch next to you. This goes for anything that MIGHT be food as well, when I am washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, dusting, brushing my teeth… all of these things are apparently cause for begging. Makes sense to me.
- Bella is also proof that pugs are about the most curious dogs I’ve ever known. They want to know where I am, what I am doing and how long it will be before I be feeding/playing/snuggling them.
- She doesn’t like it when I leave the room. Period. She follows me everywhere and hates being left in her crate alone. I have considered leaving them in Bailey’s big girl “house” while I am gone to help soothe Bella since they sleep in there together at night, but I am firm on the crate training individually thing. They need some sense of independence and separation and frankly, Bailey needs a break from the constant demands of her little sister.
- Bella does not quite know what to think about the cats. She tilts her head in wonderment and awe. Meanwhile, Pumpkin absolutely hates her (and everyone else except me, so it’s not personal) and Gaia glares and disapproves silently from her perch.
- She is friendly, loves everyone, but has a bit of trepidation about strangers and new comers. She loves Dave, her tail wags so hard when she gives him kisses it’s kind of pathetic. I think she’s a big ole suck up personally.
- She likes to play with squeaky toys (with no fluff, very dangerous for pugs, especially puppies) sticks, chewy bones, carrots, my flip flops, my fingers, my nose, my hair and Dave’s sunglasses.
- Bella is not scared of loud noises like thunderstorms or firecrackers but if the cat meows, Dave is on the phone or if I say something to her in my “Pug Voice”, she stops in her tracks and tilts her head for a better listen.
- Potty training is slow go, but we are getting there. What I want to know is how much can that little body poo and pee in a day? I mean really, it’s like a constant flow.
- Bella trots like a show dog. Very happy bounce in that one’s step at all times.

I’m sure more will present itself in time, for now though I will move onto the interactions amongst the two critters:

- Bella follows Bailey every where.
- Bailey follows me every where and has since day one.
- If Bailey is out of range for any reason at all, she’s immediately on the scene if Gaia gets to close to the puppy.
- Bailey is unexpectedly maternal and nurturing. I am not surprised because she is kind and sweet, but she really has taken a shine to this little Bella and wants to be sure she’s got her eye on the little one at all times. For example, Bella was trying desperately to retrieve a toy from her crate through the side of the crate, via the bars that separate the door and crate liner. Bella gave this a few tries and began whining because she couldn’t reach it, Bailey watching her the whole time. After several minutes of this nonsense, Bailey calmly went into the crate (through the door, DUH PUPPY HELLO!) picked up the toy with her teeth, walked out of the crate and dropped it in front of Bella, looked at the toy, looked at Bella and barked. I was SHOCKED, not only because I was like holy crap Bailey is SMART but also b/c it was obviously a “hey, this is how you do it” or “awww baby, I will take care of you” - so I’ve been watching for more of this behavior and let me tell you, it is heavily engrained in their interaction. Bailey momming Bella and Bella watching everything Bailey does for guidance and cues on how to behave.
- I’ve also noticed a more protective stance from Bailey when it comes to other dog SOUNDS, not actually meeting other dogs because they both do great with other dogs after the appropriate amount of sniffing and sizing each other up. However, if there are disembodied dog sounds or a dog on the TV, Bailey flips her top. Example: If we are watching a movie with dogs on it, barking or what have you, she stands in front of Bella, poofs up in her “I’m going to kick your ass” posture (which is not at all the threatening, poor thing) and does this gruff sounding RRRRRFRFFFFFFFF RRRRRRRRRRFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF. Same goes for dogs walking by the house that may bark or pant to loudly.
- They lay exactly the same. They tilt their heads exactly the same time at the same sounds. Their tails curl and uncurl depending on their emotions and energy levels and almost in synchronicity depending on what’s happening. They both hate the water and there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, they won’t do for food or lots of praise from momma. Praise works great, but they are always looking for the food while I’m praising 
- Amongst other things, Bailey uses her rear end as a means of enforcement. If Bella is on her last nerve, Bailey will sit on her. If they are on the couch and she’s had enough puppy for one day, she pushes Bella off the couch with her rear end. If Bella is horning in on Bailey’s love time with Mom, rear-end in the face. Thus the reason they can’t sleep in the bed yet, I have visions of puppies being pushed off the bed in the middle of the night. Once Bella is big enough to use the puppy stairs, we’ll be alright but until then, I think it is in everyone’s best interest if I make sure no one is “accidentally” booted off the bed/couch. How’s that for passive aggressive.

I think the most important thing I can say about my baby girls is that I’m in love with them and adding Bella to our family has had exactly the outcomes I’d hoped for. Bailey is more stimulated, getting more exercise and seems to be taking this job very seriously and Bella is soft and awesome as puppies generally are. As for me, I get nothing but joy from the whole experience (sans the excessive poo wiping) and I make sure to get time with both of them together and individually. I will say, I do miss my lazy quiet naps with Bailey cuddled up on me. I do feel a little disconnected from her, but it will come through in time I am sure of it.

More pics soon to come.

XO