Its been a busy few weeks. While recovering from the maiming I was subjected too, news of my exceptional good looks traveled through cyberspace and my fan base has grown considerably. Fame is tiring. Between doing press, beauty sleepies, grooming, answering fan mail and changing outfits, I don’t have a whole lot of extra time for gratuitous appearances.

However, the good people over at Animal Planet, sent me a wonderful new accessory to look cute in and I couldn’t resist agreeing to a photo shoot to show it off!

Maggie Gallant and her bitch Dixie keep AP viewers on top of the latest pet trends and in addition, they have started Trendy Tuesdays, where a lucky winner receives the weekly giveaway. I won the Bow-lenciaga Bag by the fittingly named brand Ella Dish. Thats me in my new fab bag in the photo shoot. The photographers were complete amatuers, which was super annoying, but my beauty was able to shine through in spite of them.

The giveaway was sponsered by the New York based canine e-tailor to the stars, Trixie and Peanut. Besides me, Trixie and Peanut has catered to the pampered pooches of Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, Drew Barrymore, Parker Posey, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson, Jimmy Fallon, Ciara, Scarlett Johannsen, Missy Elliott, Courtney Cox & David Arquette, Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Richie, Penelope Cruz, Sharon Osbourne and former President Bill Clinton. Trixie and Peanut has also been featured on VH-1’s Fabulous Life of Celebrity Pets.

Enough name dropping. Back to me! I was asked by some fans to share my photo shoot playlist…Enjoy!

1. I’m So Hood Remix - DJ Khaled Ft. T Pain, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi from Outkast, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman, Rick Ross
   
2. Give it To Me- Timbaland Ft. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake
3. Superstar - Lupe Fiasco Ft. Matt Santos
4. Drop it Like its Hot - Snoop Dog Ft. Pharrell
5. Gimme More - Britney Spears
6. Sexyback - Justin Timberlake Ft. Timbaland
7. Change Clothes - Jay-Z
8. Doggy Dogg World - Snoop Dog
   

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I repeat. Do Not Trust Humans. Two legs bad - four legs good!

I am warning my fellow canines - the humans do bad things. I am writing through my pain to make sure that no other dog should ever befall the type of mishap I have endured. Let me start from the beginning. My humans had been talking about someone named “Spay” for the past couple weeks and my mom always looked really upset when the subject would come up.

Not knowing who Spay was, I figured she or he was probably another human or dare I say it, a filthy cat, based on the negative reaction my mom had to him or her. I still haven’t figured out who this “Spay” is, but on Friday morning, my mom woke up really early. It was still dark out! Then she fed me a suitable breakfast of pheasant and tripe. I figured could get used to this - Louis didn’t try and eat my breakfast since he was still asleep. Then, my dad got up and we went into the thing with wheels that takes us to Grandma’s house and the park. Without Louis!! Finally, some respect!

Except, we didn’t end up at Grandma’s house. We were at a place I haven’t been before with tons of strangers. At first it was fine, since they were all admiring my royal tiny self, but then my mom and dad left me there! What in the bones is going on? I was thinking. Me, in a cage? I don’t think so.

The next thing I knew my beautiful right forearm was being shaved and I was falling asleep against my will. When I woke up, I was alone in a cage and there was intense pain in my tummy and mouth. I checked out my tummy and found that the once pink expanse of unblemished skin and fur that made up my lovely belly was now mangled beyond recognition. I was also dazed and could barely keep my eyes open. Blasted humans! I thought, What have they done to me?

I caught a glimpse of myself in the reflection of my metal den. My face was discolored. I opened my mouth. My amazing second row of sharky teeth had been stolen! I knew they were valuable, since my mom and dad were always poking at them and my mom even managed to steal a few that had come loose. I never expected that they would all be stolen, though.

Out of no where, my mom and dad showed up. They were extremely sensitive and loving but they showed no rage at the humans who drugged me to steal my teeth and something from inside my tummy. Why wasn’t my daddy pummeling them? I didn’t understand. Another ride in the wheeled thing and I was back home. I didn’t feel so good, having had my innards and teeth stolen and all, but at least I was home. Louis was there and we all snuggled up in the big bed.

I am feeling better and the pain is starting to subside, but I am still upset. When I smile, I have one lame row of teeth, just like all the other boring dogs. And my tummy is not pretty, its still mangled. And my shaven foreleg..what the bones is that about? I am planning on staying fully clothed and indoors so that no one can see me in this condition. Oh, and I still don’t know who Spay is.

I hope your humans never leave you with the drugging teeth and gut stealing evil-doers.

Kisses,

Ella Bean

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Given that my Louis just turned one on Monday and our unexpected addition, Ella Bean is just six months old, the past 9 months of my life have been steadily preoccupied with issues like potty training, basic obedience, diet and of course teething.

Teething happens in multiple stages for dogs. Their first set of teeth, known as milk teeth, appear within a puppy’s first month. When you acquire a puppy, the milk teeth are usually the first nippers you’ll see. At about four months old, these milk teeth will start falling out.

While teething begins at around four months, it can last up until their first birthday.

Teething is the bane of most dog owners existence. Teething can result in lost shoes, furniture and other damage if the pup is not monitored or confined at all times. It is also necessary to train puppy to chew on appropriate objects and toys through positive reinforcement. Chewing helps to aleviate the pain and pressure of the teething process. For dogs of all ages, it also relieves tension and provides stimulation. It is vital to have appropriate chews as your puppy goes through the teething stage.

Puppy breath is another issue that may be related to teething. A raw diet like I feed Louis and Ella eliminates a lot of smells, Louis and Ella never never get that ‘dog’ odor and the diet even reduces the stink of their stools. Louis, past teething always has great breath except after raw feasting or snacking on poo. Even though Ella is on the same diet, her breath smells. I have been training her to get used to toothbrushing, which helps the breath, but ultimately, with all of the teeth she is losing and growing, she is retaining some of her baby teeth and bacteria and food and gunk gets stuck between the ‘double’ teeth. When she has her spay surgery, the vet will also pull any baby teeth that haven’t yet fallen out to avoid this double tooth issue. This is very common in tiny breeds and is nothing to worry about it.

Just keep on observing puppy’s progress and if you see double teeth, consult with your vet to decide a timeline for when, if necessary, to do manual extraction.

Get the pup used to brushing using an enzymatic toothpaste before she or he grows his permanent teeth so you don’t meet resistance! Make is a positive experience with treats and praise! Raw diets promote dental health, which is a major issue in doggie health care. Know that the same plaque on a dog’s teeth is that plaque that builds up into the heart and bloodstream. Ewwww.

So anyway, Ella Bean is a little embarrassed that I shared her breath issues, but I assure her that informing other pups that its normal will make them feel better.

Ella also wants to share that a few drops of Bach’s Flower Essences Rescue Remedy directly on the gums helps to relieve teething pain. It can be bought by clicking the link above and its available at health food stores and some holistic pet shops.

In the mean time, Ella is a stinky tooth fairy, but we all know its just temporary. We are keeping her comfortable and trying to find the itty bitty lost teeth to save as keepsakes!

Dog pictures courtesy of Kara Sommer, photographer extraordinaire, and the fur kids aunt

Rescue Remedy image via www.rescueremedy.com

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