From Shaky Beginnings to a Floofy, Happy Ending

This is the tale of Bella. She was a little dog who went from a trembling, fearful soul to a beloved companion. Bella now sports her signature Bichon Frise haircut!

It all began in 2017. Bella’s soon-to-be pawrents visited a rescue center. They hoped to adopt a dog they had seen online. But, when they arrived, that pup had already found a home. In the corner of a nearby cage, a tiny dog sat shaking uncontrollably.

Bella had come from a puppy mill, where she had been used for breeding countless litters. She looked sad, with a matted coat and swollen belly. Her body was worn. Her spirit was even more fragile. She was withdrawn and scared. She never knew what a real home felt like.

When Bella’s mom saw her, she couldn’t look away. She lifted Bella into her lap. The dog trembled, but she turned to her partner and said, “We have to take her. She needs love.” And in that moment, it was decided—Bella had found her new family.

Soon after, Bella arrived at her furever home. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing at first. She cried and howled, barked at Dad, and had no idea how to walk on a leash. Love and affection were foreign to her.

But slowly, with patience and persistence, Bella began to trust her new family. Two months after her adoption, during a beach holiday, Bella’s mom was overcome with emotion. As she watched Bella play, she thought, We’ve done it. We’ve won her trust. That moment captured on video marked the turning point—the moment Bella realized she was safe and loved.

Today, Bella is living the good life! She’s a little princess who sleeps in her pawrents’ bed. She goes on countless adventures. She shares a special bond with her fur brother Monty, another rescue. She makes her family laugh. She walks around puddles, never through them. She gets adorably sassy when someone dares sit in her favorite spot on the couch.

From those shaky beginnings, Bella has blossomed into a confident, happy dog and a proud advocate for rescue pups everywhere. Her story was so inspiring that she was even invited to Crufts to represent rescue dogs alongside Birmingham Dogs Home. With such an incredible journey behind her, it’s no wonder why!