Rella

Rella - was named by my then 2 year old daughter 11 years ago. Why Rella? That's how she said Cinderella, and it was a spur of the moment decision at the vet office on check up day. I said to Erika, "The puppy needs a name. What should we call her?" With the hugest smile and a bounce off the bench, Erika shouts "Rella!" So Rella it became.

Rella is now 11 years old. I am amazed she is doing so well and still so active. She is a shar-pei/lab and has a very protective personality. She stands her ground to other dominant dogs and has helped raise many playful puppies. She survived an in-home daycare for 2 years, a divorce, a roommate, a move to southern Idaho and back, being hit by a van, and a bout of parvo when she was 9 weeks old.

Just recently Rella is showing definite signs of aging. She has signs of an auto-immune disorder that is causing atrophy to the jaw muscles on the right side of her head. Her only symptom of it is a lopsided head, you can definitely feel when you pet her head, and her cheek bone seems so prominent. She does not have signs of pain, decreased appetite or activity.

I hope Rella can stay comfortable and happy as long as possible!