BELLA “DIVA” REYES TURNS SWEET 16 !!!

I first met the “DIVA” 16 years ago when she was only 10 weeks old from a Shiba-Inu Breeder I had met through a mutual friend.  She was still nursing with her Mother and couldn’t pick her up until her 10th week.  I visited her Mother who was feeding a litter of 7 Shiba pups.  As soon as I arrived, Mother and puppies  all scattered about the room and hid . . . except for BELLA.  She came running towards me, grabbing my ankle and leg, frantically jumping and begging to be carried.   As soon as i picked her up, I knew she was the one.  You know it’s true when they say that you don’t choose your dogs . . . your dogs choose YOU!  At that time, the Breeder named her LEXI.  I said, “Oh hell no – you don’t look like a Lexi.  You’re definitely DIVA in every word – I will call you BELLA!” (which of course means “beautiful” in Italian).

With black button nose, little pricked ears and a curly tail, BELLA knows she is superior.  Whether with intrepid boldness, squinty-eyed cuteness or regal calm dignity, she is QUEEN!  She is aloof, alert, confident and courageous with a spirited boldness, good nature, and an unaffected forthrightness, which together yield dignity and natural beauty.  She has an independent nature, stubborn and willful, and is loyal and affectionate to those who earn her respect.  In a lot of ways, she and I share the same characteristics, which is why we are such a good match.  And if she could utter one word, it would probably be “MINE”.  She always regards herself as stronger-minded, and can become stubborn at times as she believes she needs to make up her own rules.  She’s a “stud muffin” with a butch attitude.

Owning a Shiba-Inu needs a lot of time and attention, but they repay the effort 10 times over in loyalty and affection.  And for me, it’s a way of life.  She is, after all, Daddy’s girl . . . my girl!

HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY, BELLA-GIRL!!!!!

The Birthday Girl!!!

I love spoiling my girl

Lucia (10 weeks old) & Bella – their 1st time meeting, Bella took on her motherly instincts

Bella at 5 years old

Bella at 4 years old

Bella at 3 years old

Bella at 2 years old  |  Photo by Ann Hamilton Burgermyer

Bella at 2 years old

Bella at 2 years old  |  Photo by Ann Hamilton Burgermyer

Bella at 2 years old  |  Photo by Ann Hamilton Burgermyer

Bella at 2 years old  |  Photo by Ann Hamilton Burgermyer

Bella – 1 year oldBella at 10-Months old