Bella Rose (legal name Ceccil – you can’t change the formal name of a dog if imported) was born on the 5th of December in 2023. In February of 2024 Mike and Courtney flew to Poland to bring her home. Please notice the following: Poland…in February. Courtney is of Hawaiian lineage, so this was dedication! Here is sweet girl at her original home right before we picked her up! The discovery of Pierogi (Polish dumpling), made the cold acceptable!
NO DOUBT it was love at first sight for Shadow and Bella. Shadow got a new, beautiful friend, and Bella got herself a loving and loyal protector. Just after arrival, Bella claimed her bed…..and then claimed Shadow’s. Now that she is bigger, it is all hers!
Shadow didn’t care that she stole his bed, he was smitten. Watch how great they play together – Bella, so tiny – kept up quite well! At the very end, she sneaks in a nip! He’s her dog!
Our angel still has a mischievous side – directly linked to her love of coffee (with cream and sugar). I still catch her trying to sneak licks (I don’t like to think of the one’s I’ve missed) – and as you see here, as a puppy, she stole it all!
As Bella continues to grow and develop, she becomes more interested in the world! She is far more daring at activities than Shadow (though in protection mode – Shadow is not to be trifled with). Here she is first learning to swim! Today she will run and jump into the water trying to catch her ball or Frisbee. No fear! My Shadow will wade or lie down on the platform, about 6 inches deep.
Bella reminds us that early socialization is crucial! Both she and Shadow started settling down during walks, each at about 2 years old, but Bella was the more nervous and fearful of the two. It takes maturity and trust on their part and patience, patience patience, and consistency on yours (take them for LOTS of public walks). At home, Bella is very vocal about wanting to go out and play – but I wouldn’t call it barking so much. She sounds like a person making inquisitive noises, and sometimes she sounds a bit like a Husky talking – in full sentences. It makes us laugh. I think she talks back when we tell her ‘no’ – her tone is just too close to that of a teenage girl. As you can see, she has grown into a real beauty…
And athlete!
Bella is currently working toward her AKC Canine Good Citizen title. For now, she is busy with one of her most important responsibilities – motherhood. Once her puppy-raising duties are complete, we look forward to continuing her training and introducing her to the fun and excitement of Fast CAT and agility!
We are both nervous and excited about Bella’s next chapter as a mother. We have been reading and studying much about breeding, the birth process, and caring for new puppies. We have just made an appointment with a reproductive specialist – we want him close at hand if there are any difficulties. We do not intend to be long term breeders (I also volunteer at a rescue and I’ve seen the worst of humans), but we do want to help propagate these magnificent canines since we have the privilege of being guardians to Shadow and Bella. It is wonderful to be part of the greater ‘International’ Bohemian family. If Bella does well, and recovers well, we may allow for a second litter. However, if there is any hint of difficulty or danger, her first litter will be her last. Allowing a second litter also depends on us being able to find good, safe homes for all members of the first litter. But for now, both Bella and Shadow have passed all the genetic and OFA testing with flying colors!