Bella's Boxer Shorts

A Trip to DogTown

So, you know how I'm writing a book and interviewing lots of cool people? Well, a few weeks ago I chatted with Mimi Ausland. Mimi's the 12-year old who started www.freekibble.com to help feed hungry shelter animals (click on the button at the top of my blog, answer the trivia question of the day, and ten pieces of kibble get donated to hungry cats and dogs. You don't even have to get the right answer! How cool is that?!?)

Anyway, I love Mimi and if I ever get to meet her in person, I will jump up and cover her with slobbery boxer kisses and nobody can stop me. Hmmmmm, what was the point here? Oh, I know...Mimi told me that she spent her Spring Break at a place called the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. I had never heard of it before, but I learned even more when the National Geographic Society sent me a copy of their new book, DogTown: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption, and asked if I would do a canine review.

I said "sure," and found out that DogTown is the Best Friends' shelter in Utah that gives rescued dogs a second chance at life. Some of the dogs come from puppy mills and hoarders, and many have been traumatized and abused.

One dog named Georgia even came from the dog fighting operation run by Michael Vick, or as I like to call him, Michael Ick.

Well, I have to tell you that some of the stories are hard to read. My eyes got all watery and I had to hide out in my crate for a while, pretending that I had "seasonal allergies." But overall, it's a real heart warmer and I'm giving it two paws up (which is my highest rating, since I can't really balance myself on three paws and four paws would mean that I've learned how to levitate, in which case the first thing I would do is to levitate myself up onto the kitchen counter).

Tell your humans to get a copy for Christmas. It is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon (and hopefully my own best seller will be up there soon!).

xoxo - Bella

P.S. Mom wants everybody to know that a portion of the proceeds from the book will benefit the Best Friends Animal Society, which is a 4-star charity according to Charity Navigator.

Tepezcohuite-what?

Today I'm going to do a little product plug, which I only do if I think something's really cool. The makers of K9 KlearUp sent me a sample in the mail of their all-natural balm which helps clear up problems like hotspots, cuts, scratches and bug bites. My Mom's been rubbing it onto the tips of my floppy ears, which tend to get small tears on them and they've been healing really nicely. And, I don't mind when she does it which is no small feat, since I usually hate having anything near my ears. But, this stuff goes on soft and smooth and doesn't have any bad smells. That's because the balm, which is made in Vancouver, Canada, has zero chemicals and only 3 simple ingredients...my favorite being "tepezcohuite" which is a tree in Central America. The ancient Mayans used it to treat skin problems and people are starting to rediscover that the best stuff really does come from nature (hint to humans: save the trees!!). 

To read more about the product and its story, visit http://www.k9klearup.com/

xoxo - Bella

A Breath Mint Hint

One of Mom's favorite memories when she was a kid is when her father mistakenly ate some hamster food that was left out on the kitchen counter. He thought they were little Hershey's kisses, but they were hamster food! He went "Hack, hack, hack. These things are stale!" and spit them out again. He doesn't think it's such a funny story, but everybody else does.

We just got a sample of these new DogToids in the mail and I've been leaving the tin on Dad's desk because I think it would be hilarious if he ate one by mistake. He's pretty smart, though, and he might get the hint when he sees that they come in cute little bone-shapes. If that doesn't tip him off, then I'm sure the "tasty flavor combination of beef, liver and fish" might cause a little gag reflex.

I sure like them, though!

xoxo - Bella

A Day of Fame

Did Andy Warhol ever paint boxers? I'm not sure whether he did, but he did say that everyone has their 15 minutes of fame--including boxers.

On Thursday morning, my Mom fired up the computer and everything seemed pretty normal until she started shrieking and pointing at the screen. I thought she was having a weird convulsion. Instead, there was a picture of my butt...on The New York Times website.

My first thought: Holy crap!!

My second thought: Thank God I work out!

The article was written New York Times columnist Marci Alboher who writes a cool blog called "Shifting Careers." Marci has an adorable little French Bulldog named Sinatra and she's been writing about what it's like to work with a dog in the office. She interviewed my Mom on the topic and voila! I was famous!

Of course, fame is fleeting....and the puparazzi has move on to bigger and better things. Miley Cyrus. The Reverend Wright. Paula Abdul. Oh well, it was a nice ride and now I can go back to sleep.

xoxo - Bella

Paw Prints

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
Bella wants to go outside and play!

Needless to say, it's been raining nonstop  here in Portland and I haven't had much of a reason to get off the couch. Fortunately, diversion came in the form of the UPS man. He roared up in his big, brown truck and brought us a package -- more presents for me?!? Oh, joy. A girl could really get used to this holiday & birthday thing. But Mom grabbed the package away from me and said it was for her. The nerve.

Inside was a box wrapped in pretty paper from Ashley & Co. which makes designer paw print jewelry. The jewelry in sterling silver and 18K gold is designed by Vanessa Wensing, who is a friend of a friend and is a veterinarian in the San Francisco area (apparently, the name Ashley comes from her cat but we've decided not to hold that against her). Mom got a super cute sterling silver paw print keychain....and a matching pet collar charm for me. I knew there would be something in that box for me; can I help it if I'm spoiled and know it?

Anyway, the pieces are very beautiful and Mom is just waiting for a sunny day so that we can go outside and show everybody our matching bling-bling. Heck, the puparazzi follows Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua so why not us? We are infinitely cuter and more interesting (as long as we don't end up as victims on the blog Go Fug Yourself, which is Mom's newest obsession. I hear her cackling at her desk when she is supposed to be working.)

Yours in high fashion,

Bella

Happy Anniversary, Dogs In The City!

OK, I really really really love going to doggie daycare three times a week but today was EVEN better than usual! First, there were balloons in the lobby. Second, there was Halloween candy on the counter (for humans, but I guess it's the thought that counts...and Mom seems to like the Bubble-Yum). But best of all, my friend Keri, also the owner of Dogs In the City, gave me my very own cake! It is sooooo cool...it's made  of dog-friendly ingredients and the frosting is made of mashed potatoes. I only wish that I could take a picture of it, but Mom & Dad lost the digital camera on their trip to Greece - hint, hint: I'd like a Canon Elph, please. Anyway, this week is Dogs In The City's 1-Year Anniversary. Have I really been going there for a year?! I guess there are pictures to prove it (click here to see some pictures of me with my daycare buddies).

Viva Dogs In the City!
xoxo - Bella

A Plug for Freshpet

Well, my "blue funk" has passed thanks to all my friends who left nice comments on my blog yesterday. Thanks, guys!! Today it's back to work as a product tester for a company called Freshpet which asked if I'd like to try some samples of their new refrigerated product called Homestyle Select. Never one to refuse free food (or any food, for that matter) I said "sure!" and they sent me a nice little bag with samples of their chicken, vegetable and rice dinner. It even came via FedEx (unfortunately, the FedEx driver didn't think it was funny when I tried to sign for the package by putting my muddy paw on his computer screen).

We unpacked the samples which come in vacuum sealed rolls that you can slice and serve. My Mom says the packaging looks like liverwurst which for some reason she likes even though she rarely eats any meat - she's weird like that. Anyway, she mixed it in with my regular kibble and boy was it was GOOD! I would've eaten the whole roll if Mom hadn't stopped me (something about introducing new food slowly to avoid 'digestive upset' - apparently, we're expecting houseguests tomorrow and we don't want to scare them away). My Mom also likes the fact that the food is fresh and 100% natural and that everything is made and sourced here in the U.S. (read this recent article about the company and its quality standards). I hereby give Freshpet gets two paws up!

xoxo - Bella

P.S. Bella's Mom here...We don't do many product plugs, but Freshpet is very professional and credible. Plus, Bella really liked her chicken, vegetable & rice samples!! Also, the smart marketing people at Freshpet offered to send samples and coupons to any of Bella's blogging dog friends who are interested, so send Bella an e-mail (bellatheboxer@hotmail.com) with your name and mailing address before August 23 and we'll pass them along.