There is no denying I’ve got a really special pup. She is incredibly sweet, licks random children throughout the city in the face (with the permission of their parents, of course), is so passive you can take her bone from her mouth and she’ll sit patiently hoping at some point you’ll give it back…I am really lucky.

One of Ella’s truly “special” characteristics is that she’s a helper. When I bring my finished laundry back from the cleaners, she’s always happy to stick her nose in the bag, pull out the socks and unmate them. Whenever I bring the mail in and throw it down on the bed, she takes care of shredding it for me - including the bills which I’m REALLY pleased about. And whenever I get a package, without hesitation she jumps in the middle of it all to help me open it up.

Case in point, a couple of months ago, I got a new keyboard (I’m an aspiring photographer AND a wannabe pianist). For once, I was more excited than Ella about the delivery. While I was busy cursing the instructions (and I use that term loosely) for putting together the stand, Ella took it upon herself to finish unpacking the box which I had clearly not taken care of adequately.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

Months have gone by and I’m still finding bits of styrofoam under the furniture.