Thought you’d like to know how Belle is doing. She’s very much the Queen of the house. She loves Chey and Chey can do anything to/with her. She’s very much ‘my’ dog…I can’t move without her right there. She sleeps by my bed or on it…depending on what she can get away with. I’ve woke up more than once with her on the bed with me. She LOVES the snow….she loves to just go out and play in it. She’s made a new friend..the neighbor’s dog, Rufus. They love to play through the fence and they run back and forth for hours. Then she comes in and crashes for the evening. She discovered we have a rabbit living under the shed in the back yard. It worries her that he’s there and we have to check regularly to make sure he’s not out in the yard. I can leave her off the leash in the yard and she won’t stray from me. Wherever I am, she is. She helps me shovel snow and cook and do homework. She is a lap dog when allowed to be. She’s very happy and talks to me quite a bit. She lays in the bath room when I take a shower and “guards’ the door for me. She spends the day in the garage while I'm at work. She’s very good about it, but the minute we hit the driveway she’s barking to see us. She’s very smart (which you already know) and very opinionated but the sweetest dog ever. She goes and greets the neighbors when we are out shoveling snow and introduces herself. As for obedience training..it has all come pretty natural for her. We haven’t even started classes but just playing in the yard and talking to her she’s picked up everything. She’ll do cartwheels if I ask her to. I will get a camera soon and share some pics with you. We are so happy with her and I believe she’s happy with us. Hope all is well, warm and safe in your world and keep in touch.

Peg,

I just had to tell you about this weekend. Belle is definitely special!! We had company Saturday afternoon. I had stepped up on the couch to grab something and as I turned around to step down I fell and managed to sprain my right ankle quite severely. ( I swore I broke it but xrays proved differently.). Belle had only met my friends for a couple of hours at this time. She is always very congenial but still watches to make sure nothing ever goes wrong when people are here. She is protective in a very subtle way.

Anyway...I'm lying on the floor screaming in pain and Belle is instantly at my head trying to lick my face and take care of me. She NEVER licks. Then when my friends try to come to my aid, at first she wasn't sure what to do. I had to reassure her it was ok. When she realized they were trying to help me she went into a supervisory mode, but she wouldn't leave me. After we managed to get me up and back on the couch, Belle was right next to me and wouldn't leave me. She spent the night at my feet and kept trying to lick my ankle and foot. She must have known it hurt and she stayed next to it. She also goes in front of me where ever I go on my crutches..I believe she is "clearing the way".

We had company again today, another friend that Belle has met a few times came to check on me and make sure I was doing ok. Belle was happy to see them and thoroughly enjoyed convincing everyone to scratch her where she needed, but she also always comes back to lie by my bum leg.

She amazes me more every day. All of my friends are so impressed with her. The friend that was here when I got hurt raises sheep and has a few horses. They were so impressed with Belle and after showing them the pics of Copper and Sasha and all the things ES's do..they hope to get one in the future. The friend that came to check on me today has horses. I help them with the horses whenever I can. They are looking forward to seeing Belle interact with the horses. They are also interested in having an ES now. They are amazed at how smart and loyal she is. They find it hard to believe that we have only had her a couple of months. I believe with a little patience, Belle will be my right hand in everything. Right now she's trying to figure out what she can do to help me. I'm convinced where as if I were laid up very long, she'd be bringing me what ever I asked for once she figured it out. Right now she's tired from having to "guard" me all day and is sacked out on the love seat with her head on the pillows. She's had to work pretty hard making sure nothing got out of hand for two days.

I also laughed today. She "sassed" at Cheyenne. I had asked Chey to get me something and Chey didn't hear me. So I asked again. Chey was in her room and couldn't hear me very well. Belle went and "woofed" at her door and came back to me. Of course, Chey came out of her room to see why Belle was "woofing" (she rarely makes a sound). Belle was sitting next to me by then and gave Chey a "Mom was talking to you" look. It was priceless! We both got a good laugh out of it. I tell you, she is the smartest dog I've ever had. Our house would be awefully empty without her. Thank you again for letting her come into our lives.

Amy

Belle is so smart (which you already know)! She would have made an excellent assitance dog. Belle has been amazing! She was sooo tired last night she slept on the couch. Had to wake her up to go out this morning. Of course, she was so apologetic for oversleeping. Then she stood in the bathroom while I took a shower and watched to make sure I was ok. I'm sore as heck but I know it will heal. I just can't rush it. Talk to you soon.

Amy

All images © 2000 - Present day, Peg Egertsen.
All rights reserved