Thinking about getting a new dog? We offer advice on different breeds and our local shelter dogs. We can help you with the do's and don'ts of bring a new dog into the household.

Belle

Belle the Cattle Dog from Amador Shelter

Big News - Belle has her new home!

April 5, 2008

Belle left for her new home yesterday. We delivered her yesterday early afternoon for a home visit and interview. Her new owner recently lost her dog. Belle immediately took to her and and she, of course, just fell in love with Belle. The Belle's new mom is active and takes some of the neighborhood dogs for walks, so Belle will get much needed exercise. She also has a great group of friends and neighbors that help out and they all were there to meet Belle.

It was a very long and quiet drive home for us. I miss Belle, but I doubt we could ever have found a better home. This foster was very special for a number of reasons, but for me, mostly she was special because of the way everyone came together just to help her out. Bob and Lisa of Jackson Creek Veterninary Clinic in Jackson very generously donated her surgery to remove her eyes. Those blind eyes were causing her much pain and as she healed she became a different dog. She starting loving a good romp and loved to play. She wandered about the house and was curious and into everything. Then the shelter came through and transferred her to APAL, Amador county's local humane society, so we could be very careful and selective about placing her. Everywhere we went Belle was happy and brought out the best in the folks that saw her. She was a very effective amabassor for APAL and she served us well at Amadoroply and the adoption events. Since she was an APAL rescue dog, she is the poster child for what we do and what we care about... the saving of animals.

If she could talk I'm sure that, like us, she would have a tear in her eye as she did her best to thank everyone for everything and all the selfless help and time. After a very rough start she can believe and trust in us again. This is a success that all of us and APAL can celebrate and use as motivation as we go to the shelter and see the other ones pleading for a chance.

Feburary 28.2008

Belle had a rough road to travel in her life. She developed glaucoma which was left untreated over the years and it eventually took her sight. After she had become completely blind she was picked up by the Amador shelter. When notified, her owners could not keep her and she was surrendered to the shelter.

We saw her there and were very touched. She was not doing well, being blind the surroundings were very frightening to her and all the barking and noise was very threatening to her. She responded to our verbal calls and touch so we brought her into foster at our home. This was her best chance because the shelter was not able or equipped to take care of her. Additionally it was clear that with her problem money for her care was going to be a issue. Not many people would take an interest in an eight year old little Australian Cattle Dog that was blind, very dirty and shedding everywhere. But she had something special and we took her into our foster program.

belle Within about a week she learned to trust people again. But she was acting as if she was in pain, so we took to a veterinary othamalogist in Sacramento. he confirmed that her eyes we completely destroyed and had to be removed. That was thanks to Dr. Alison Pillsbury who setup the appointment and paid for her visit.

So we spoke with the folks at Jackson Creek Veterinary Clinic who said they could perform the surgery and the cost would be about $1.500.00. Lucky thing that Belle was in foster, because that likely would have been the end of her in the shelter environment. With the help of Amador A-PAL many folks can together and the money for surgery was raised.

She went in and all went very well. When we returned that afternoon we were happy to find our girl ready to go home, although she was pretty groggy. But as we sent to the front counter we received the best surprise yet... Dr's. Bob and Lisa had donated the surgery! It was with no fanfare or looking for acknowledgement, rather an act of kindness from folks with a good heart.

Now Belle is back home and recovering and soon will be ready for a special and very lucky home. She needs to have her stitches removed and a last check, but soon she will be ready to go. If you are interested in Belle, please give us a call at (209) 267-9856 or drop a note to info@daggydogs.com We can arrange a meeting for you to meet our very special little girl.