NO DOG LEFT BEHIND - PART 3
A CALL FOR HELP
At the beginning of April, we received the following plea to help save Bella, an 11-year-old German Shepherd.
“I am trying to help (Bella’s) owner find a safe place where she can go. Her owner (Merle) was admitted to a nursing home and will not be coming back home. He is heartbroken but has no one to take her and our local animal shelter is currently closed, and no one is sure when they will be reopening. Time is of the essence; Bella is living in the owner’s rental property, and the property will need to be turned back over to the property management. Bella is lonely, scared and misses her human”
The situation was truly heart wrenching. When Merle was originally admitted to the nursing home, there was possibly hope that he could return, but his health quickly deteriorated. He was informed that he would have to live in an assisted living facility the rest of his life. Sadly, he also had no family members that would help care for Bella. Thankfully, Merle had a wonderful community of friends who were taking care of Bella and doing all they could to find Bella a new place to call home.
A COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER
When we read about Bella’s story, we knew that Bella wasn’t going to be left behind. First, we arranged to have one of our volunteers meet Bella. Although we were told that Bella was 11 years old, she greeted our volunteer with a playful spirit and boundless energy. Bella was certainly happy to meet a new friend. Merle’s friends offered to take Bella to her vet for a health check, where she also got current on her vaccinations, and received anti-inflammatory medication to ease some arthritis.
Within a few days, the medication put even more pep in her step.
Soon after the vet visit, one of Bella’s caretakers offered to drive her up to Hidden Gem Kennels, a peaceful facility we use in Pittstown, NJ. The facility is located on Peacefield Farms, which not only sits on 80 beautiful acres, but houses Peacefield horse stables and riding area. By a twist of fate, Bella’s caretaker took a “wrong” turn and ended up at the horse stables, where they met Terri, a kind volunteer. After hearing Bella’s story, Terri, hopped in the car with them and took them on the very short drive over to where Bella would be staying.
SERENDIPITY - SEDONA STYLE
As the phrase goes, “one thing led to another” and after hearing Bella’s story, Terri was instantly moved. She had recently lost her German Shepherd and was getting ready to look for a dog to bring into her life. When Terri got out of the car, the first thing she said to us was, “how can I adopt Bella?”
Three days later, Bella was heading to her new forever home with Terri. Feel free to use any cliché you want, but the journey led to a truly miraculous ending. We are happy for Bella, and proud to share with Merle that his friends and Sedona came together in his time of need, ensuring that Bella found a wonderful, loving home.
