In September 2019, 4 year old Bella arrived into the care of the Friends of Animals Wales. She had been saved from a life of breeding in a puppy farm. She brought with her all the trauma of that life, plus health problems which included eyes damaged by cataracts. In December we were asked if we could help.
At the time, our charity was newly established. We’d not long completed our 2019 fundraising for the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre which gave them £80,805 through the year. Our new charity bank account was beginning to fill but we knew it would take time to have much available to help any dogs. Our Schnauzerfestive Season of walks offered hope that the new year would see us with a fuller balance.
Bella’s rescue was busy raising funds for her sight restoring operation - around £3500 would be needed. The funds that we had available, taking into account our ongoing commitment to helping the dogs at DBARC, allowed us to matchfund what Friends of Animals had raised. We agreed £600 would wing its way over as soon as her op could go ahead.
Now that operation is happening. Bella will be admitted today to The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre. This week is going to be an exciting time for both Bella and her fosterer Julie. Bella has been living with Julie and her family for 7 months and in that time has gone from a nervous dog with everything to learn about the world, to a total mummy’s girl (Julie’s words!). This has been greatly helped by the company of her foster siblings: Dexter and Chase (spaniels), Wilf a spaniel cross with neurological issues, Beattie an OES and Macolm a cockapoo with a liver shunt. Plus various foster dogs who have come and gone during Bella’s stay. There are also 4 children in this wonderful household.
Bella with her foster brother Malcolm
From her initial nervous start in the house, Bella now asks for fussing, loves jumping on the sofa, snuggling in and demanding strokes. Her lack of vision has meant lead walking has taken a backseat for now, but she happily trots around the garden with her family and has been enjoying the recent good weather. For a dog who endured a blind life in a puppy farm, the fresh air of a garden must feel like heaven.
JUNE 2020
Bella’s double cataract surgery was a success! She spent a few weeks recovering with her fosterer before being ready to head to her new adoptive family. She now lives with Andrea & Richard and 21 year old Adam who she has taken an instant shine to, moving to be close to him whenever she can. Her new canine sibling is 7 year old Milo who is a wonderful new brother with his sociable character and confidence, Bella follows him around the house, they cuddle together and they’re proving to be ideal companions. This has pleased Andrea greatly, not just for Bella’s happiness, but Milo’s, as they lost his previous sibling, Riley last March to liver cancer. There are so many good things coming from Bella’s adoption, for her, and her new family.
When dogs are taken from puppy farms they have everything to learn about living in our world as theirs has been spent in barren, deprived environments. The months that Bella spent being fostered has certainly helped her to adjust to her new family life, but there are many daily challenges, all of which Andrea and her family are helping her with. Cars are scary, even when stationary, 5am walks around her local estate are helping Bella become more familiar without the noises of busier parts of the day.
Together, Bella and her family have a bright and wonderful future, one where she can now see and fully embrace her new found freedom from breeding.
DECEMBER 2020
Bella has just celebrated her first Christmas with her adopted family and she’s had a brilliant time, in what has been a difficult year for everyone. It’s heartwarming hearing how a once blind dog in a puppy farm has adapted to a completely new world and embraced everything it has to offer.
Relaxing with a full tummy after enjoying Christmas Day surrounded by love and kindness
“Bella had a wonderful Christmas and Santa certainly made up for all the Christmases she’s missed. She is a beautiful , loving little dog who has stolen our hearts”
