Bella, an adorable puppy, grew up at a municipal shelter.
Unlike shelters in the United States, Romanian dog shelters often house dogs in outdoor settings under less-than-ideal conditions. Due to poverty in the region, these shelters often struggle to receive adequate food donations, resulting in dogs not getting enough to eat.
Bella was fearful and malnourished, having never experienced human affection or care before. Her time at the shelter was severely affecting her spirits. Howl Of A Dog, a rescue group based in Romania, rescued Bella from the shelter with the aim of finding her a forever home, as shown in the video below.
The rescuers hurried Bella to the veterinarian, her face devoid of expression as she sat beside her new human companion in the car. Aware that love would be transformative, she was visibly weary. Shelter staff noted Bella’s fatigue; she slept minimally and struggled with a sense of security in her kennel. As she received comforting pats, her eyes began to droop, finally finding relaxation in the reassuring presence around her.
Then, Bella does something deeply touching: she rests her head on her savior’s lap, finding comfort and drifting off to sleep on the way to the veterinarian’s office. The car is quiet and serene, and the woman beside her exudes kindness and friendliness. It’s exactly what Bella needed—a sense of security, which is crucial for a dog.
Since the filming of this video, Bella has settled into her forever home and is thriving in a life filled with happiness. Please help us share Bella’s video and story. It’s important for everyone to witness the initial moments of peace for a shelter dog. Finding loving homes for shelter dogs in need of affection is incredibly important.