She was a strong character with a will of her own, clever, and like most flatcoats, very eager to learn. Even if once learnt, she decided to do things her own way because it was more fun! We went to obedience classes which after some time paid off, and we really enjoyed. Gaining her Kennel Club Good Citizen award and taking part in a display, organised by the local dog warden and our club, in a crowded market square during pro dogs week, at which she behaved impeccably, encouraged me to enter the beginners obedience class at the flatcoat open show one year. Bella, the only one of a long line of dogs, broke her sit stay after nine and a half seconds and padded over, her eyes sparkling wickedly and that long tongue hanging out, laughing. She had that typical flatcoated sense of humour too!!!

We did a little showing with her also. She was a nice size for a bitch, just over 22 inches at the shoulder and had a lovely head with a face which grew more exquisite as she grew older. Like humans perhaps, who acquire character with age. Her love of life extended especially to food and keeping the weight off her after her seasons was a battle we hardly ever won, a factor which does nothing to help in the ring! Here she is pictured at 8 years of age, (carrying a few surplus layers of digested biscuits under her skin) after being thrown out of the veteran class at the FCR Championship Show. We have had placings and even the odd first at Ch shows with her, and placings, firsts and an occasional Best of Breed at open shows; but my very proudest show moment and the day I actually enjoyed most of all was her winning Best Pedigree at a local exemption show when she was 9 years old.