When two women witnessed Bella the German Shepherd fighting to stay afloat in a river, they were frightened. They initially assumed she had fallen in or became stuck. Her leash, however, was fastened to a big rock and thrown into the river. Someone terrible had tried to drown the puppy in frigid water on purpose.
However, the Good Samaritans came just in time. Jane and Joanne Theydragged Bella out of the water and called for assistance. The Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham responded quickly and assisted her in her recovery. Bella is finally receiving her happily ever after, more than a year later.
Vets revealed that the 10-year-old dog had several health issues after additional study. It’s unknown how many of them were connected to the drowning incident. Despite the odds, dog lovers rallied in support of Bella. Professionals believe she would not have survived if Jane and Joanne, her rescuers, had not intervened.
Bella was severely underweight and had numerous skin issues. Her pancreas was also swollen, and her kidneys were not functioning correctly. As a result, it took the shelter roughly a year to get her where she needed to be.
The woman who hurt Bella on purpose has been caught and has pled guilty. She was convicted to a 12-month community order and was fined $450. She is also prohibited from getting another dog for the following three years. Despite this, many petitions have been launched in England to enhance the penalties for animal maltreatment since Bella’s story went viral.
Bella is on her way to be with her permanent family now that she has received all of the required medical care. Maggie and Charlie, a retired couple, were pleased to provide the pup with a place to live in her golden years. Their family had previously owned several Shepherd dogs, so when they learned about Bella’s story, they asked to adopt her.
Jane and Joanne have been paying regular visits to Bella to help her integrate with her new family before returning home. In addition, the shelter staff has been educating them on how to care for Bella’s complex needs.
Maggie and Charlie are the ideal parents for Bella, especially since they are familiar with her breed. The couple also has a secure yard, which is excellent because Bella does not get along with other dogs. They’re also patient and eager to shower her with affection.
Bella did not deserve all of the bad things that happened to her, but she is now as happy as she can be. Senior dogs are the most affectionate and grateful; therefore, more people should think about adopting one.
All photos courtesy of @RSPCARadcliffeAnimalCentre/Facebook