Jasper & Belle, and now Buddy too
Jasper came to stay with us in 1996, at age 3 months, as an orphan. He was found on the street by friends. This fall (2005) he will be nine years old. He now happily plays with Belle, after a long time missing his first canine companion, Kip.
Our new dog, Belle, a Golden Retriever, was gifted to us by friends. Belle came as an orphan too, at age 6 months. She finally has a real birthday, November 25, thanks to Alexandra, Josiah, Hannah, Micah, and Jeremiah.
My animal companions eat a whole foods diet emphasizing raw food and whole organic or natural as possible foods. They drink spring water, and take herbs when the need arises.
All of our pet products have been tested and approved by Kip, Jasper, and Belle.
We wish to thank our human friend Emmy who helped put our pictures on Leaflady.org.
Jasper my gardening helper, enjoying a lovely day in the catnip pot
Belle's now ready for the warmer days ahead with her new teddy bear clip
On May 13 Belle (2005) will have been in our family for five years. It has been a learning time for her, Jasper and me. We are happy to have learned about Belle more effectively from Joy Charles of Talk With the Animals. This new information has helped all of us immensely with bonding. We received Belle as a rescue dog in 2000, and we know now that Kip sent her to us. Kip knew Belle needed lots of love. Belle even has the same left hind leg problem that Kip had, so we will always know she is with us.
Belle came originally from a puppy mill where she did not get a lot of love and care as a puppy. Some time back we gave Belle the nick name of 'Baby Dog' and with Joy's help we learned how appropriate this name really is. Belle was adopted from this puppy mill and shortly thereafter she was found, at about 3 - 4 months old, wandering over 130 blocks from that home. She was then surrendered by that home to an animal care facility where she lived for a few months, learning some not so healthy behavior. After this Belle went to be with the friends who gave her to us. She was not there very long because she had more behavior problems than this family could work with effectively.
Fortunately for me I have a friend whom I met some years ago at the Doggie Park because of Kip, and his Golden Retriever, Buddy. This friend now has two Golden Retrievers, and we turned to Byron for help. Well he has been a big help. We also have a lot to be thankful for, from the Monks of New Skete and the loving way they train their dogs. We knew Belle needed love and affection, so between the snarling, showing teeth, biting, and other shows of outright fear, we now are on our way to lots more good times.
We also want to thank our wonderful natural vet, Michael Lemmon, DVM, and Debbie; and our new natural vet Chris Stone, DVM, and her great staff. Thanks to Jeannie Flint of AWOL Pets for taking Belle's first digital picture. We thank Kristina and Peggy who helped Belle come to our family.
Belle at 8 months
Belle's New 'Buddy'
Zeke, Belle's first best buddy, moved to Reno in 2004