Saving lives, one animal at a time.....
ARVSS is a federal non-profit organization - 501(c)(3).
Donations are tax deductable! Please send your contribution to:
ARVSS
PO Box 306
Stoughton WI 53589
Bella's left front foot is broken... she actually bears weight right at the break
This is Bella with her foster mom, Susie
Dr. Trepel is studying Bella's case and is confident he can fix her up!
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Meet "Broken Dog," our special girl! Broken Dog was rescued from a shelter in Ohio. Many rescues were interested in her because of her awesome personality, but no one wanted to take her on. She has a horribly broken foot. ARVSS founder, Tracey Hageny couldn't resist - and said we'd take her and fix her up, without batting an eye!
It's been nothing short of a heart-warming experience for all who have come in contact with this dog. Broken Dog has been named Bella, meaning "beautiful girl." The name suits her very well. She is so friendly and loving. No one can understand how she manages to be so happy and sociable, given the pain she must be in.
We'll never know how Bella's foot was broken or when. It appears that she was shot and that the injury is several months old. We'll never know what sort of life Bella had in Ohio, but we know her future is bright and she'll find the perfect family here in Wisconsin.
Bella is in great health - other than her foot. She is less than 2 years old, weight just over 40 pounds and is thought to be a mix of collie and shepherd.
Special thanks to all who have shown their care and concern. Bella has already managed to creep into several hearts... whoever ends up adopting her will have to be as special as she is!
DONATIONS:
- 01/19/07 Dr. Terry Trepel & Banfield, The Pet Hospital & Staff care & support
- 01/24/07 Beryl Oftedahl & her family $500.00
- 02/03/07 WiCare ECB Staff $120.00
- 02/15/07 Anonymous $200.00
- 03/05/07 Pampered Chef $450.00
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UPDATE!
Bella was spayed on Jan 26 --- even though she in only about 2 years old, it appears she has had at least one litter of puppies. She recovered quickly, her "spare parts" came in ... and her leg surgery happened a week later!
February 2, 2007
This xray of Bella's leg(s) after surgery lead to a new discovery! It appears that there is a bullet fragment in her right leg as well! The surgery took about 4 hours - and Bella is home recuperating with her foster family tonight. She will have the extra hardware on for many weeks. Dr. T plans on taking xrays monthly to see how the bone is fusing. Watch for updates here and in Arvie's Dog Blog!
February 16, 2007
Bella had a check-up today! She's doing just great. Dr. T will x-ray her leg in two weeks to see how the bone is fusing. Bella will continue on antibiotics and pain medication for now...
Foster Mom Susie says the family cats are very active at night, and that would keep Bella very busy checking on them. Because of this, she sleeps in a crate now in her mom and dad's room. Bella is very close with the family's German Shepherd, Annie. Watching Annie play in the snow confuses and upsets Bella --- so they aren't allowed to spend time outside together. While she doesn't walk on her broken leg, she does touch her toes down from time to time. Another sign of how well Bella is doing... she's gained a pound in the past 2 weeks!
February 28, 2007
From Susie, Bella's foster mom:
Bella had a good day at the Vet today! She had xrays (first ones since the surgery), and they can see bone growing around the break - This is good news!
Bella will need to stay on antibiotics and they have reduced her pain pills by 1/2 pill. Dr. Trepel doesn't see her pins coming out anytime soon, but I remember him saying they could stay on as long as 12 weeks. We are currently at week-4.
Six staff members came out to the lobby and spent time with her while they made me copies of her Xrays! A Banfield client fell in love with her. This is "normal" -- you understand that EVERYBODY LOVES BELLA!
Relaxing after a big day at the vet's...
can't even see her splint in this photo!
April 18, 2007
Bella's hardware was removed last week! She spent one day short of TEN weeks with the metal contraption in place, bless her heart! Dr. Trepel wanted to make sure the bones were good and healed!
She's been enjoying all the activity at her foster home. Alice's 3 girls (Jan, Marsha & Cindy) are great playmates and she's so good with them. Bella doesn't have much interest in the tiny puppies yet, but they are really too young to be of much fun to her. "Play" has been a learning process for Bella. One theory is that she was taken from her mom and littermates too soon. She really didn't understand the whole concept of "play" and felt threatened by it at first. She's overcome much of that now and seems to enjoy a good romp with the other dogs and puppies in the home.
Bella still has some pain in her bad leg - but that will get better over time. She'll have to learn to trust the repair and actually bear weight... she does on occasion, but still tends to run on three legs. It will all come in good time. The trick she learned and got her so much attention has stuck... when mom & dad get home from work, she sits at the top of the stairs and waves at them!
May 4, 2007
GOOD NEWS! Bella went to her new home today! She will be living in Sun Prairie with her new mom, Kay and four "felines!" Bella introduced Kay to Dr. Trepel and all the gang at Banfield already! Kay was a little surprised to find out what a celebrity Bella is at Banfield and with all the volunteers at ARVSS.
Bella and Kay make eye contact...
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Who looks happier? |
Best Wishes Bella! Keep in touch!!!
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