Bella's rags to riches story.
Posted: 25 Oct 2017, 15:57
First of all, apologies for a long post.
Approx 7 weeks ago, I was contacted by Carole to ask if I could go and assess Bella. The only information I had was that she had fleas.
On arrival, we saw a very, very nervous dog but, after approximately 5 mins, gained enough confidence to give her a flea tablet which I went armed with. To say I was shocked at her condition would put it mildly.
A plan of action was required urgently. I spoke with Carole and then the earth moved.
Plan of action:
Collected Bella for trip to vets.
Action list:
An urgent appeal went out for a fosterer..............more on that later.
Bella was immediately put on a drip. To do the initial tests would not normally need sedation but, sadly, in this case, the dog was petrified due to her restricted life style. She hadn't been out for 4 years so there was no option.
Blood in urine (which I found out at the last minute from previous owner.)
Vet's actions: Two blood tests. One scan. Inoculation (1st as she had never had one) to be followed up with a 2nd in two weeks. Anti biotic tablets (two weeks) and nails clipped (the least of her problems but, they were very long.)
Vets findings....Thickening of the bladder (could be a tumour) but hoped the anti B's would clear this.
Now some positive news.
Fosterer.
Lisa kindly responded to the foster appeal stepped forward to help this needy girl.
I met Lisa at the vets to collect Bella ready to go to her foster home. As the vet nurse approached me to hand over Bella, she poo'd herself (frightened). Lisa arrived, and on taking her lead, she again poo'd herself and jumped up to try and escape out of the window in the vets. We took Bella outside and yes, she poo'd herself again. This dog was absolutely petrified. Lisa, myself and OH sat on the car park floor outside trying to calm this poor girl down. At no time did she show the slightest signs of any aggression.
Eventually, Lisa lifted her into her car and took her home. I went home feeling guilty knowing that Lisa had more than a full time job on her hands.
Fast forward:
I went to visit Bella and Lisa, together with her own lovely dog Lottie (together with 2 rescued kittens) about 3 weeks ago. Let me tell you, I did not see the dog that I went to assess. She was a totally different dog. Bella, Lottie, Molly and the two kittens spent a pleasant afternoon in the garden where we had a brew whilst they all went about doing their own thing.
It's been a very long haul for Lisa and her partner working with Bella but, they has worked miracles. Backwards and forwards to the vet, anxiously awaited phone calls from the vet for results etc., etc.
Now for the really good news......................Lisa rang me last night to tell me she had joined the failed fosterers club.
Bella has now got the all clear and has landed on all four paws with a very loving household in a very beautiful home with fabulous countryside surroundings.
I did receive a text message from her previous owner after a couple of days. I will quote.
Quote:
"Hi, it's K***y I just want you all to know how thankful and grateful I am for your help with Bella. I couldn't have wished for a better person than yourself to come in to our lives and help our Bella as much as you have. Thanks to you and your organisation, Bella has a chance for an amazing, carefree, loving life and family. I couldn't thank you enough. I am so glad and happy for your help. What you and Lab Rescue do is amazing. Thank you Linda for helping us and most of all, thank for giving Bella a second chance at life."
Unquote.
This is just one story of the amazing work we, as a group of volunteers and supporters can achieve. Thanks to you all. Bella has been nursed back to health and gaining confidence with Lisa. Sadly her previous owner could not afford to treat her or even feed her a good quality food. She had tried all avenues asking for help, without success, when my own vet suggested Labrador Rescue and that's when the earth moved.
Approx 7 weeks ago, I was contacted by Carole to ask if I could go and assess Bella. The only information I had was that she had fleas.
On arrival, we saw a very, very nervous dog but, after approximately 5 mins, gained enough confidence to give her a flea tablet which I went armed with. To say I was shocked at her condition would put it mildly.
A plan of action was required urgently. I spoke with Carole and then the earth moved.
Plan of action:
Collected Bella for trip to vets.
Action list:
An urgent appeal went out for a fosterer..............more on that later.
Bella was immediately put on a drip. To do the initial tests would not normally need sedation but, sadly, in this case, the dog was petrified due to her restricted life style. She hadn't been out for 4 years so there was no option.
Blood in urine (which I found out at the last minute from previous owner.)
Vet's actions: Two blood tests. One scan. Inoculation (1st as she had never had one) to be followed up with a 2nd in two weeks. Anti biotic tablets (two weeks) and nails clipped (the least of her problems but, they were very long.)
Vets findings....Thickening of the bladder (could be a tumour) but hoped the anti B's would clear this.
Now some positive news.
Fosterer.
Lisa kindly responded to the foster appeal stepped forward to help this needy girl.
I met Lisa at the vets to collect Bella ready to go to her foster home. As the vet nurse approached me to hand over Bella, she poo'd herself (frightened). Lisa arrived, and on taking her lead, she again poo'd herself and jumped up to try and escape out of the window in the vets. We took Bella outside and yes, she poo'd herself again. This dog was absolutely petrified. Lisa, myself and OH sat on the car park floor outside trying to calm this poor girl down. At no time did she show the slightest signs of any aggression.
Eventually, Lisa lifted her into her car and took her home. I went home feeling guilty knowing that Lisa had more than a full time job on her hands.
Fast forward:
I went to visit Bella and Lisa, together with her own lovely dog Lottie (together with 2 rescued kittens) about 3 weeks ago. Let me tell you, I did not see the dog that I went to assess. She was a totally different dog. Bella, Lottie, Molly and the two kittens spent a pleasant afternoon in the garden where we had a brew whilst they all went about doing their own thing.
It's been a very long haul for Lisa and her partner working with Bella but, they has worked miracles. Backwards and forwards to the vet, anxiously awaited phone calls from the vet for results etc., etc.
Now for the really good news......................Lisa rang me last night to tell me she had joined the failed fosterers club.
Bella has now got the all clear and has landed on all four paws with a very loving household in a very beautiful home with fabulous countryside surroundings.
I did receive a text message from her previous owner after a couple of days. I will quote.
Quote:
"Hi, it's K***y I just want you all to know how thankful and grateful I am for your help with Bella. I couldn't have wished for a better person than yourself to come in to our lives and help our Bella as much as you have. Thanks to you and your organisation, Bella has a chance for an amazing, carefree, loving life and family. I couldn't thank you enough. I am so glad and happy for your help. What you and Lab Rescue do is amazing. Thank you Linda for helping us and most of all, thank for giving Bella a second chance at life."
Unquote.
This is just one story of the amazing work we, as a group of volunteers and supporters can achieve. Thanks to you all. Bella has been nursed back to health and gaining confidence with Lisa. Sadly her previous owner could not afford to treat her or even feed her a good quality food. She had tried all avenues asking for help, without success, when my own vet suggested Labrador Rescue and that's when the earth moved.