<![CDATA[MARIA G. HUNTOON CANINE CONSULTING SERVICES - Gem of the Week]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:23:07 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Meet Princess Bella and Sir Bosley - they are BFFs and Fur Family and so this week we’re gonna tell their story as a pair! Yay!]]>Thu, 21 Jul 2016 12:58:38 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-princess-bella-and-sir-bosley-they-are-bffs-and-fur-family-and-so-this-week-were-gonna-tell-their-story-as-a-pair-yayPicture

       I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is the story of Bosley and another Bella.
Princess Bella is a 1 Year Old Treeing Tennessee Brindle who was adopted by her forever family August 2015 and her fur brother Sir Bosley, is a Cocker Spaniel who is 3 years old and was adopted a couple months earlier in June 2015.
Colleen and her family had the best Boxer ever. His name was Mr. Moxy and he was 11 years old when he went over the rainbow. They were so sad. They were definitely not ready to open their hearts to another dog. But, Colleen has a soft spot for black and tan cocker spaniels and her daughter, Devin, knew that.
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​When Colleen saw the picture, her heart went out to this matted black and tan Cocker. She made the 2 hour drive and adopted him on first meeting. He was so good with her and learned well. He very quickly became Colleen’s one and only and healed her from the loss of Mr Moxy, filling the hole he left.
This story doesn’t end there. Devin is an avid foster, taking after her mom and fostering many dogs till they find their forever families. She was fostering a dog named Betsy. A shy, scared and mellow dog. Colleen offered to take her up to her camp and introduce her around in hopes of finding a forever family for her. And she did - in her husband’s favorite chair! Within 24 hours of meeting him, Betsy had chosen him as her forever family. Besty was named Princess Bella but maybe Loco Coco is a better name for her! She’s super smart and creative! She can open closet doors, drawers and even unlatch her crate. She can even jump a 4 foot fence! ​


​Bella and Bosley are the best of friends. They cuddle together and play together and love each other very much.
Here’s the rest of Sir Bosley and Princess Bella’s story...
Bella and Bosley’s Special Talents:
Bella likes to throw parties when her family is not home. She gets into the cabinets and pulls out all the baking supplies. She can’t read recipes though and tends to make a mess. You can see she tried to clean it up though, because there are paper towels covering the mess she made. She is also a wine snob. She will drag the wine out too...she prefers white with a screw cap.

Bosley is an avid actor. If the family has been working too much, he becomes a three legged dog. Colleen will rub his paw and cuddle with him to nurse him back to health. But don’t worry about Bosley’s leg. Today it was the front right leg. Tomorrow it will probably be the back left leg. Bravo Bosley!
Final Thoughts:
Bosley and Bella were both rescues that were lucky to find their forever homes. Bella is still in training and learning more and more every day. They both bring so much love to each other and the family.
Bella and Bosley’s Origins?
Both Bosley and Bella were rescued by Crate Escape. Here are a few words from Colleen about this awesome organization:

“We were introduced to Crate Escape Rescue through a wonderful goodhearted friend, Donna Thomas. We fostered Lola, I loved it,but it broke Dan's heart when she found her forever home.  A month later Mr. Moxy left us and we had not planned on having any dogs for a couple of years.  Fate brought us together, and healed our hearts.’

‘These pups were not trained, they had emotional issues, and some minor health issues. With love, patience, training and consistency we have two of the best dogs.  We can visit friends with our furbabies and not worry about issues.“

If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com. ​
]]><![CDATA[Meet Macy - a 2 1/2 year old Lab/Pit Mix from Woodstock, NY!]]>Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:40:34 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-macy-a-2-12-year-old-labpit-mix-from-woodstock-ny

​I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is Macy’s story.
Macy had a tough start. She was a stray and used as target practice by a bunch of boys that thought it was a funny thing to do to her. “She was broken and alone when she was put in the shelter. And she had no hope of ever finding her own forever family. She stood in the shelter pen, face to the corner with nobody to love and no reason to live. For a dog this is the worst thing in the world. We need to love humans. It’s why we exist. Macy, it turns out, had to go through some tough times to find her forever family. She had been very abused.  X-rays showed that she was full of BB's.  Also, half her face had been punched in and her cheek bone crushed leaving her blind in one eye.
She was almost left at the shelter because there was no one to foster her. Luckily, Crate Escape really wanted to help her and reached out to one of their best fosters - Tracy. Macy was heart-worm positive and possibly pregnant so they needed a pro for the case. It turns out she was not pregnant, but full of BBs from all that target practice she endured. Initially Tracy was not sure she could foster Macy. She has a history of being a Foster Failure. That means the foster never leaves their original home and get adopted by the foster family. I think that makes them Foster Fabulous! =D But she saw how Macy was standing in her pen, nose to the wall, sad and alone and that was all she needed. She said YES to foster Macy.
The first few days Macy was at her foster home, she stood in the Mud Room and faced the wall. Tracy was going through her own sadness from stuff in her own life. Her heart went out to Macy and she would lie on the floor in the Mud Room with Macy just to keep her company and let her know she had love from a human. It was just the kindness that Macy needed and she started to open up. She was Tracy’s foster until the day she went to pick Macy up at the Vet after heartworm and spay surgery. When Tracy said her name, Macy looked up instantly and ran to Tracy’s arms. That was the moment she became Tracy’s forever family.
Macy sleeps with Tracy, head on a pillow, and helps Tracy feel like it’s worth getting out of bed on the days when life is the hardest. Macy shows Tracy that even after betrayal and pain you can still find a way to love others and let them in.
Here's the rest of Macy's story...
Macy’s Biggest Fan -
Macy makes anyone that meets her feel calmer and less anxious so she has lots of fans. Everyone loves her when they meet her. The Vet Tech said she has a very old soul and that she must have been a pretty special human to come back as a dog.

Macy’s Adjustment to Family Life -
​It’s been rough for Macy but she has adjusted like a real champ. She gets along with her 4 other furry family members and has a close and special bond with Tracy. Tracy took her to an animal communicator in Woodstock named Cindy Brody. She shared, through Cindy, that she loved Tracy’s boys and Tracy. She also wanted Tracy to know that what had happened to her was not her fault. Macy was truly lost when Tracy found her and had given up hope. She now feels the bond with Tracy and knows that Tracy had a tattoo of Macy on her arm.

​Macy’s Special Talents -
​Macy must have been royalty when she was human because she acts just like a Princess. She is part of a 5 dog pack and is the only one that waits on the couch for her meals. She loves to wear special outfits and whenever new clothes come in the mail, she thinks they are for her and is ready to try them on.

​Macy’s Favorite Toy -  
​Anything with a squeaker - until she gets the squeaker out. A girl after my own heart...we would play well together. Macy also loves to play with a ball by herself - a lot like my cat Boris cause she bats it around with her own paws and then chases it.
Macy’s Origins?
Macy was rescued from a shelter by Crate Escape in Wappingers Falls, NY

If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com.
]]><![CDATA[Meet Joker! A Labrador, Ridgeback, Shepherd, Rottweiler and Dane mix from Pleasant Valley, NY]]>Fri, 10 Jun 2016 20:55:56 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-joker-a-labrador-ridgeback-shepherd-rottweiler-and-dane-mix-from-pleasant-valley-ny
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​I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is Joker’s story.
Joker is part 2 of the Jennifer Anderson series! She does such a great job telling the stories of her furry family members that I want you to hear from the human’s mouth! So here’s Joker’s story!
How did you know Joker was supposed to be your family?
Although I cannot imagine life without him, it was actually not me who originally wanted to get Joker. I had a boyfriend who wanted us to get a dog 'together'. Although I did think Kasey would like a pal, I had been thinking more along the lines of another greyhound, not a puppy. He had found a litter of Lab/Shepherd pups available through PawSafe Animal Rescue, and we filled out an application for one of them. Upon our approval, we were able to attend one of their adoption events and choose a pup. Now, here's where I should have immediately known it was going to be my dog: he didn't go to the event! He told me which dog to get, based on pictures, and went to work.
​I went to the event, where you were able to choose the pup in the order you had arrived and placed your name on the sign-up sheet. I'm a big believer in fate, and as I watched the dogs get picked, I decided that if any were left from that litter, we were meant to have a dog that day. He had told me he wanted one specific dog, the one who looked like a Shepherd, and that one was first to go. After that, "just get any". I ended up chatting with the woman who was one in line before me. There were two puppies left from that litter remaining, and we were watching a man and his wife argue over one of the Lab mixes or a yorkie. The woman and I agreed that if there were still two Lab mixes left, we would each take turns holding them, and then I would let her choose who she wanted- after all, she was in line before me, and besides, HE wanted the dog; I had Kasey at home!
So we watched as the man before us put the Lab mix down and he and his wife took off with the yorkie. We proceeded forward and were handed the pups. Joker was named Merlin then (they were the 'Top Gun' litter) and he was handed to me. He immediately cuddled up, licked my face, and snuggled in. Now, even though I was irritated at the BF for not being there, I'd been standing in line, I was tired and annoyed- PUPPY! I've always had former racing greyhounds, so I've never had a puppy before! But, still, this wouldn't really be mine. I snuggled him for a few minutes, and it was time to switch. The other woman was holding the other pup out to me, so I went to hand over the one in my arms to her. No go. He whimpered and started to crawl around my neck. I got a firmer hold, and tried again. Nope, audible crying. One more time, and screams. I stopped trying to make him moved and stroked his back. Silence, then a wagging tail. The other woman smiled and said, "I guess he's going with you." ​
I apologized to her, feeling awful. "No no no," she said, "he chose you, I can't change his mind!" I remember looking into his little weeks-old puppy face a minute later and saying, "Wow, aren't you a little Puppy Jerk." I swear he smiled. His tail was wagging, and he licked my face. I constantly say now that he is a Velcro Dog- he doesn't even get up and go to the bathroom with the pack in the morning, but waits for me to get up. I suppose that's where it started!
He certainly became more my dog within a matter of a couple of weeks. (He was named Joker) for the Batman villain. "You're an Agent of Chaos!" I'd tell him. He would annoy the living daylights out of poor Kasey at first. He was in awe of him. He wanted to follow him everywhere, and Kasey would sometimes get terribly irritated. Joker learned very quickly to keep his distance when Kasey was sleeping or eating, but he also learned very important lessons, like potty training, how to do stairs, and where to sleep.
​I remember the day that I saw Joker climb up on the edge of the bed Kasey was sleeping on and think a bark-growl-snap combo was inevitable. All Kasey did was pick up his head and sigh. Joker curled up and napped in peace, about a foot away from his big bro. I thought it was just the sweetest thing. Then, I started seeing Kasey actually 'groom' Joker by cleaning his face for him. It was absolutely adorable. That's when I started to truly let my walls down more for Joker…(when I saw) Kasey let him in more.
(Joker) would quietly sneak up behind me and then just sit and watch whatever I was doing. He would "help" with other things, like digging up holes for plants in the yard. The day I told the ex he had to leave, there was no doubt who Joker was staying with. He sat in front of me, all 30-something pounds of him at the time (he's grown to 83), growling low.
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When I finally took a good look at (Joker’s) paperwork from the adoption group, I saw that he had been born in a foster home after his pregnant mama was saved from a kill shelter. His birthdate was May 3, 2013, which was the very day I was driving home with Kasey Cane for the first time. If anything at all, those two were meant to be brothers.
What's a funny, interesting story you can share about your Joker?
Every year, I travel to at least two greyhound gatherings with my Kasey Cane, and of course Joker comes along. I joke that he is a "Greyhound at Heart"! For the most part, people love to see another breed there, especially since he is their size and tends to blend in well with them. He's so docile, and such a mush, and just wants to be friends with every dog he meets. Greyhounds by nature are very friendly, and even the ones who are unsure of other breeds are usually more curious about Joker than anything.

At most greyhound gatherings, there is what they call a Fun Run, where a "racing lane" is sectioned off so that the former racers can have a chance at a full-out sprint! Someone has a radar gun to capture speed, and a photographer captures action shots. The line for it is always long. Now, the common misconception is that greyhounds are high-strung. Not so. Most greys in the line were napping. Then there was Joker. Barking at his brother, barking at me, pulling on his leash, trying to eat a butterfly, barking at the air... I could see people getting annoyed, even people who had complimented me all weekend on how well behaved he was. I didn't want him (or I!) to be unwelcome the following year, so I knew I had to do something. I had a container of bacon flavored bubbles in my bag. Yes, you read that right: BACON FLAVORED BUBBLES. Joker goes nuts for them! I put my bag down to keep our place in line, handed Kasey's leash to my Mom, and stepped off to the side with Joker. We spent the next 15 minutes as crowd entertainment. He danced on hind legs, snapped his jaws around ascending bubbles like a hungry alligator, searched frantically for ones that evaporated before he had a chance to bite them, and spun in circles to attack the ones that had the audacity to touch his tail. The same people that had been getting annoyed were now laughing! Such a relief! Some of their greys even wanted to check out the bubbles! Since then, I always make sure I have those with me if I think I may need to occupy him.

And that Fun Run? He was the fastest non-greyhound runner at 27MPH!
Who is/was Joker's biggest fan, and why?
It has to be me and his baby brother Deuce. Joker is my baby, and he is my comic relief. Kasey Cane is my rock, my partner, my protector, and my best friend. Joker is my baby, my comedian, my silly boy, and my Velcro. Deuce is our chocolate Lab/Pit/etc. mix, and he just thinks Joker is the greatest thing in the world. He relies on him from everything from wrestling partner to snuggle buddy.
Any talents, tricks, hobbies, jobs, stunts your dog can do that you can share?
Joker, like Kasey Cane, is also a certified Therapy Dog! He also visits the nursing home like his big brother does. We would like to get him involved with some children's activities, as he certainly seems to enjoy "little people"! He has the patience of a saint and doesn't seem to mind when an ear gets accidentally pulled or he gets poked in an eye. ​
It was quite the time getting him trained well enough to contain his exuberance to pass that test, and the most difficult part was teaching him LEAVE IT. To this day, if you drop something on the floor and tell him it's okay to eat it, he still looks at you as if to say, "I don't believe you. I think this is a trap. Is this a trap? I'm supposed to LEAVE IT."
What else do you want me to know, other than what you have already shared? (favorite toy, activity with your dog, etc)
Joker's favorite toy is a blue Koi from a company called Fluff and Tuff Dog Toys. We discovered them on Instagram, and after contacting them, they assured us they were indeed durable and would withstand the "excessive love" that a young Lab mix would give. They weren't kidding! Koi gets tucked in with Joker every night, and spent the night at the vet after both of Joker's TPLO surgeries. Koi even travels with us!

Joker also has an incredible skill that I never trained him for, nor did anyone...I tend to sometimes have terrible nightmares, and Joker has taken it upon himself to wake me up from them. He usually sleeps in his bed near the foot of mine, or on the floor on my side; sometimes he sleeps in the bed with me. He starts to wake my up my hitting my hand with his nose with increasing intensity. If I don't wake up from this, he puts both paws on my chest and nuzzles my face and neck, eventually barking. He makes sure I'm awake, and he doesn't stop until I make eye contact and talk to him. He will then sit up for a few minutes, watching, then will lick my hand in an almost reassuring manner before he lays back down, either on the floor by me or back in his bed. It's all very surreal, and the first few times, I wondered if it was just a coincidence. But over the last few years, this has happened at least a dozen times. I always thank him for it and tell him that I love him and appreciate it. I know some people say dogs don't understand our words, but I believe they do. He most certainly does.
If rescue organization or breeder, please share their details if you have them.
PawSafe Pet Adoption, Patterson, NY
If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com. ​
]]><![CDATA[Meet Kasey Cane - the Greyhound of Pleasant Valley, NY]]>Tue, 03 May 2016 13:12:09 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-kasey-cane-the-greyhound-of-pleasant-valley-ny

I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is Kasey Cane’s story.
Kasey Cane, originally named Hurricane when he was a professional Greyhound racer, lives in NY by way of Derby Lane in St Petersburg, FL. He’s as fast as lightening and smart as a whip. He’s part of an awesome pack and we’ll be telling all of their stories in the KC’s Labs GEM 4 part series.
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Here’s Kacey Cane’s story, as told by his human, Jennifer -
“I had lost my greyhound Bubba, unexpectedly and tragically in March of 2013. I always attend the yearly Greyhounds in Gettysburg gathering in April, and for the first time in about 8 years, I thought of not going. I decided to go, houndless. In the weeks leading up to the event, I found myself looking over the "adoptables" who would be at the event. I came across the picture of this skinny brindle hound in the snow, nose poking into the camera. It said his name was 'Hurricane'. Well, for some reason I kept looking at that picture!...
On the first day of the event, I walked into the convention hall early, ready to do some shopping and say hello to friends and hounds. I glanced to my left at two brindle hounds in an x-pen, and exclaimed, "Hey, that's Quick and that's Hurricane, from the website!" Well, poor Quick was body slammed out of the way by Hurricane, who let out a bark and a roo (a roo is a howl-yodel sound distinct to greyhounds) and put his paws up on the x-pen with such force that he almost knocked it over.
The adoption rep laughed and said, "Well, Quick has a family coming to meet him and possibly take him home today, but I think Hurricane wants you to know that he is available for love and that he is looking for a family of his own." She told me that he had been living at Roo Valley, which is a boarding and kennel facility run by Nittany Greyhounds for ex racers as they wait for new homes. She said that he was an absolute sweetheart and asked if I wanted to take him for a walk. I didn't have to be asked twice, and of course by then, he was already rubbing his muzzle against my hands and doing what is known as the "helicopter tail". We seemed to be a natural fit, and by the time I brought him back to the group (about two hours later), I think my mind was already made up. I left him in the x-pen and went off to do something else. When I returned a few hours later, there was a couple petting him and cooing over him. He was loving the attention from them, but then he caught sight of me. The roo, the helicopter tail, the whole nine! He abandoned those poor people in mid-pet and nearly knocked the pen over once again to get to me. I felt badly for the couple, but secretly, also happy that he had chosen me.

​I did obviously change his name to Kasey Cane from Hurricane! They had been calling him Cane for short, so it wasn't too far off of a transition. I wasn't too keen on Hurricane, and I like multiple syllable names for dogs. Kasey Kahne is a NASCAR driver, and it seemed fitting for a former racer. Funny thing is, he will glance at the TV when the announcers say his name during a race!”
Kacey Cane’s Biggest Fan as shared by human, Jennifer-
​“Other than myself, his 'brother', Joker. Joker is a black Lab mix who was adopted just a couple short months after Kasey was. Although Kasey wasn't too thrilled with squirmy puppy energy at first, as Joker grew and matured, so did their bond. Joker has always been in awe of Kasey it seems. He brings him toys as "offerings" and sets them down by Kasey.
Ten-week-old Joker would stumble around outside after Kasey and do everything he did; thanks to Kasey's desire to mark everything, Joker was potty trained in record time! Joker knows that Kasey is fearful of thunder, and will seek him out and lie with him during a storm. As Joker was recovering from TPLO surgery and I was leash walking him in our fenced yard, Kasey would walk slowly along with him, between myself and Joker's wounded leg, as if he was protecting him. The two are just best buddies. Kasey can be a bit territorial, and will growl if one of his other brothers comes too close if he is sleeping soundly or if he doesn't want to be disturbed- but never to Joker. The two will eat side by side, sleep back-to-back, rest heads on one another, lick the same ice cream cone... They are just the very best of friends!"
Kacey Cane’s Special Talents, as shared by human, Jennifer-
​“Kasey Cane is certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International! We visit a local nursing home on a regular basis. They have a very small number of residents, and Kasey has his routine and order that he must visit everyone in, and if I try to deviate from that, he will correct me by pulling me in the right direction! He loves the residents and will lie down with whomever will pet him the longest.”
A Kasey Cane Favorite Moment from human, Jennifer -
​“Kasey is obsessed with balls! He loves to play anytime, any where. I didn't realize just how much he loved them at first. I must have had him for just about a week or two, and he wasn't all that interested in stuffed toys just yet. I was making myself something to eat, and in the process, I dropped an orange out of the fridge. Well, that's all it took. Kasey saw it roll and into the kitchen he ran! That orange got picked up, tossed in the air, slammed down again, and then he ran off! It took me about 20 minutes to get it back from him. After I had my lunch, I took him out and we got him a bunch of KONG balls, and also some plush ones for inside- that's how we got him tossing stuffed animals around! To this day, his eyes still light up a bit if I toss an orange around a couple times!”
Kasey Cane’s Origins?
Nittany Greyhounds, State College, PA by way of the Greyhounds in Gettysburg annual event each April

If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com.
]]><![CDATA[Meet Coco - A Tree Walker Coonhound from New York!]]>Sat, 23 Apr 2016 00:39:07 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-coco-a-tree-walker-coonhound-from-new-york

​I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is Coco’s story.
Coco got to a Beacon NY shelter with a new litter of puppies. She had an infection and had to be separated from her puppies right away. Her puppies were put up for adoption, but Coco wasn’t quite ready to be placed on the “Adoptables” list. Seems there was a special volunteer she was destined to meet.

Here’s the rest of Coco’s story:
Coco’s Biggest Fan -
Coco’s biggest fan is her human sister Ella. They are best buds! It’s not Rooney because he strong-armed his way into the house with his waggy tail and furry paws. But Ella loves Coco best of all and Coco is all about that bond.

Coco’s Adjustment to Family Life -
Coco gets to play with chickens and take daily walks. LUCKY! I always wanted to play with chickens...I bet they would be really fun to chase and bite. Really she doesn’t even seem to notice the chickens. That’s why she was allowed to live on Hawk Hill farm in the first place. She doesn’t even care, she has fresh chicken - all she can eat!
Coco’s Special Talents -
Coco has 2 really great talents. First she is certified as an expert Surface Remover, level 5. She has removed surfaces all over Hawk Hill farm. She has a very good skill at making them round and deep. Second, Coco is an amateur porcupine wrestler. She’s still working on that one.

A few words from Coco’s Human, Gail, a volunteer walker at Coco’s shelter
​“The first time I walked [Coco], she stopped, put her paws on my shoulders and looked at me right in the eye and that was when I loved her.  Everyday I went in I’d check to see if she was still there. Since I was a volunteer, they let me bring her home to see if she would eat my chickens and she didn’t have any interest in them so it was a done deal.”
Georgia’s Origins?
ARF, Beacon, NY

​If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com.
]]><![CDATA[Meet Georgia - A Terrier Mix from New York!]]>Thu, 14 Apr 2016 13:00:37 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/meet-georgia-a-terrier-mix-from-new-york

​I’m Bella!  And this is my "Gem of the Week" Feature!  This week’s "Gem" is Georgia’s story.
​Georgia is 3 years old and started life as part of a litter of puppies born in a shelter in Sampson County, NC. She and her brothers and sisters contracted parvovirus and were in a pretty bad way in the beginning. In fact, some of Georgia’s siblings went over the rainbow before they had the chance to be adopted by a family. When Crate Escape (my alma mater) came to get the pups they were told not to bring them along. They were too sick...Crate Escape was told they may not make it. If you ever met Heather and the Crate Escape gang, you know their hearts wouldn’t hear that and Georgia (then Debra) was put on the transport along with her siblings Dee-Dee and Dexter.

Here’s the rest of Georgia’s story:
Georgia came to be part of the Tompkins family when she arrived in a Transport van from South Carolina. They were her foster family and took her in so she could start to learn how to be part of a family until she was adopted. She is what we in the rescue game call a “Foster Failure.” That’s cause the family failed to get her adopted before they fell in love with her and made her part of their family. ;-)
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It really was meant to be because every day when the dad came home, Georgia would RUN to him so happy and excited to see him. The mom knew Georgia would be a perfect Father’s Day gift. And she was.
Georgia’s Biggest Fan -
Georgia’s hum-aunt is definitely her biggest fan. She lets Georgia come and stay with them whenever her family goes away. Her hum-aunt also has a dog named Leah who is definitely Georgia’s BFF.

Georgia’s Adjustment to Family Life -
Georgia has separation anxiety. That’s a tough one. It makes it hard for her to see her family leave. So that stresses her and everyone out. Luckily Georgia is so awesome and everyone loves her so much they don’t even care that it makes things a little harder.

Georgia’s Special Talents -
Georgia is an awesome dancer! She twirls something fierce! Also we can both high five and that rocks!
A few words from Georgia’s Human -
“When we first adopted Georgia, we had just purchased a second home in Rhode Island. We were new to the neighborhood. I met lots of the neighbors from walking Georgia around. She was pretty scary then with her hair loss. She reminded me of a Chupacabra. The people I first met kind of shied away from her because of her looks. But now they know her as "crazy Georgia". She's a very exuberant dog....But her coat grew back nicely! She has definitely changed our quiet household to one of laughs and chaos but she's also filled the void that was missing in our hearts. (We) wouldn't trade her for the world and we're sticking with her even though she's quite the handful at times.”

Georgia’s Origins?
Crate Escape rescued Georgia. Another thing we have in common. =)

If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at gems@accordingtobella.com.
]]><![CDATA[Welcome to "Gem of the Week" by me, Bella!]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2016 18:58:17 GMThttps://www.mghcanineconsulting.com/gem-of-the-week/welcome-to-gem-of-the-week-by-me-bellaPicture

​I’m Bella! And this is my Gem of the Week Feature! Lady’s Best Friend asked me to share stories of my furry friends, so I’ll be sharing a story of doggie antics each week. Oh the adventures we will share! They could be from my neighborhood or down the street or even in another place far away. They could even be YOUR dog’s story! I only share my cutest and funnest friends so I promise you’ll love them all! This first week, as Lady’s Best Friend sends their very first edition, I am going to tell you about me! So get out your favorite bone and sit back and enjoy! ... 
Stats questions: Name, Age, Breed, Sex, Birthday or Gotcha Day
Bella Victoria
Australian Cattle Dog
Gotcha Day: December 7, 2014

How did I come to be part of the family? Share the magic moment.
I was saved from a shelter in North Carolina. Then I lived for a while with Jesse, Lana and Shelby, my Foster family. They are the absolute best! Then I found my forever home with the Polos. I have done exactly what my breed is known for and velcroed my way right into their hearts. My hu-mom, Trista, is my first choice for wrestling, training and playing with sticks in the yard. My pup-paw is my favorite for balls, naps and popcorn snacks.  

Favorite story?
A few weeks ago my humans got me a kitten! So far he still has his squeaker and now I have trained him to push treats onto the floor so I can eat them. He uses my tail as a toy and my lap as a bed. Generally he’s annoying but he’s cuddly too and I love to chase him and do often.

Who is/was your biggest fan?
A physicist named John. He has known my humans for years but I think he comes to visit them because he wants to see me. If I had my own cell phone, he would probably call me to hang out even if they weren’t around. I like John. His hair is wild and he makes fun “tee hee” noises when I do silly things. My hu-mom hides treats in his hair and collar and we play “Find It” with him as the hiding place.

How has your life changed since you joined your family?
I had kind of a rough start. I shared a bare grey kennel with another dog. Most of my days were spent waiting for someone to walk by so I could bark at them and jump up and down at the kennel cage gate. It didn’t make me bitter though. I’m as crazy and happy and demanding as if I was born into a royal family with every advantage.

Bragging moment - What are your special talents?
What CAN’T I Do!? I’m super smart. I can catch a treat in mid air while flying through the sky. I can jump super high. I’m almost as fast as a Greyhound. My hu-mom brags most about how I will lay quietly on my bed while my humans eat dinner at the table. I always get a treat after dinner, so I don’t see what the big deal is. She seems to think it takes special talent to lay around during a meal. I think chewing and swallowing would be harder. But if you aren’t sure I could try it out for you. Like an experiment...wanna?

Bella’s Blurb:
Some other stuff you should know about me is that hate wearing clothes. I hate it. Seriously. Don’t put clothes on me. I love being in videos especially when they have a sound track. I love adventures and I’m a professional co-pilot. I destroy toys in 5 minutes and will always take a stick or a cardboard box with treats hidden in it over an expensive toy. I have a website at www.accordingtobella.com plus you can find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Where did you come from originally?
Crate Escape rescued me. They are awesome. They are 100% Foster care.
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If you have a dog whose story deserves to be told (um, all of ‘em!) then send it to me at accordingtobella@gmail.com.
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