More Random Dog Shots

Stella and Digit have known each other 7 years. You'd never know. And here is Bella, our Wonder Foster. She is supposedly deaf.

But.... what happens when you call her name?

Bella, Our Foster

We have been fostering the sweetest doggy ever. Her name is Bella and she is a six year old pure Rhodesian Ridgeback. Poor Bella has an allergy to chicken and this has not been monitored throughout her life. When a dog has food allergies, it leads to chronic ear infections. Bella was in pain and going slowly deaf. Three vets agreed that the best solution was to have her ear drums removed and the ear canals cleaned out.

This was done at Metzger Animal Hospital in State College. I was very impressed with the bedside manner of both Dr. Rider and Dr. Griffiths. They did a fabulous job caring for her the two nights that she spent there and her surgery was a success.

The family that surrendered Bella had three children and she is just amazing with the kids. Above, Evan uses her as a body pillow to watch his morning cartoons. She is amazingly patient and kind.

Above is the one of the drains that was put in her neck post-surgery.

Poor Cone Head had to have her bowl held for her when she ate for about a week.

Random Pet Photos

Our good Sophie, who was adopted from California, goes outside, does her business and then scratches at the door to be let back in. She has dealt very well with the transition from West Coast to Midwest. :) Here she is with "love ears" ready to be let back in. You can see that she is partially blind in one eye due to an old injury. Stella loves the snow!
Stella on her spot at the top of the stairs. She likes to hang out here because she can see the living room and dining room and she has quick access to the boys' rooms.

Digit and Kit Kat spend a lot of time in Evan's room.

I was trying to take video of Stella and Sophie. All of my Ridgeback friends send us photos of their dogs snuggling. Not my two. Here, Stella was growling because Sophie's back leg was touching her. She looks like she's looking at something else, but she's really just trying to not make eye contact with Sophie.

Weirdos.

Merry Ridgeback Christmas!

My annual attempt to put a Santa hat on Stella. Santa Sophie has one eye on you!

Bella barely wakes up for the festivities!

Snuggle Nappers

Sophie and Bella make a snuggle sleep. Ridgeback Love!

Bella!

We have a new foster! Six year old Bella came to stay with us a few weeks ago. She is a sweet, sweet girl but has some food allergies. She truly adores the boys. You can tell that she was raised with kids and tolerates them. Such a sweetie!

ROLL!

Stella has a system to the back rub and roll. First, she puts her shoulder down and rubs her back. Then she wiggles her front legs.
And then the back!
And then she rests.

"Paws Off"

Our command when we eat dinner is "paws off." The dogs have to be off the kitchen floor. Sophie always goes to the couch and waits until I say to one of the boys, "Are you all done?" Then she bolts to the kitchen. But Stella and Ray are a bit more optimistic that something might be thrown to them over the invisible barrier.

You'll notice that as dinner progresses, their paws do get further into the kitchen. Stella does the paw "tuck" where only one of her paws is actually on the kitchen floor. Creative Ridgebacks!

Puppy Lovin's

Stella and Mommy get some snuggle sleepies in....

Kissy Kissums. Sometimes we forget that she licks her butt and choose to kiss her on the face.
Ray decides it is his turn for some lovin.
Ray says, "Ahhh..... THIS is what I was really after!"
Ray and Sophie share a pillow. Most of the time, our dogs won't snuggle. But if there is a sunbeam involved, all bets are off!

Mommy, Please!?

Here's the gang begging Mommy for a treat in the kitchen! How cute are these Ridgeback faces?!

Left to right in the bottom photo: Ray, Sophie and Stella