Bella, an 11-year-old German Shepherd, faced a scary situation that almost ended her life.
Tied to a heavy rock and left to drown in the icy waters of the River Trent, Bella’s future looked bleak.
But thanks to the brave actions of two passersby and the hard work of rescue workers, Bella’s story had a heartwarming turn.
Heroic Rescue by Jane and Joanne
On that cold January morning, Jane Harper and Joanne Bellamy were walking by the river when they noticed Bella struggling to stay afloat.
Without hesitation, Jane jumped into the freezing water and found that Bella’s leash was tied to a large rock. With a lot of effort, she freed Bella and brought her to safety.
Bella’s Long Road to Recovery
Bella was in bad shape, suffering from the cold and other health problems due to her time in the water.
She was immediately taken to a veterinary hospital, where she started her long road to recovery under the care of the RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham.
Over the next 15 months, Bella’s spirit shone through as she slowly got better.
The staff at Radcliffe Animal Centre worked hard to help her heal, making sure she got the medical care and love she needed.
Bella’s story spread quickly, touching many hearts and leading to many adoption inquiries.
Finding a Forever Home
Among those moved by Bella’s story were Maggie Mellish and Charlie Douglas, a retired couple from South Derbyshire who love German Shepherds.
They had lost their rescue dog two years earlier and were eager to give Bella a loving home.
After seeing her story in the news, their daughter encouraged them to apply for her adoption.
“We were horrified by what happened to Bella, and when we came to see her, we realized what a great personality she has,” said Charlie. “She really is perfect for us.”
Despite Bella’s age and need for ongoing medical care, Maggie and Charlie were determined.
“We know she will need regular vet appointments and are willing to finance those,” Maggie explained.
“We just want to offer her a loving home she so deserves after all she has been through.”
A Happy New Beginning
On the day Bella moved in with Maggie and Charlie, Jane Harper and Joanne Bellamy were invited to see the happy event.
Jane felt emotional seeing Bella, now a happy and healthy dog, starting a new chapter in her life.
“It brings back memories of that terrible day, but seeing how happy and full of life she is now makes it all worth it,” she said.
Ella Carpenter, the manager at Radcliffe Animal Centre, shared her joy. “This is the perfect happy ending to a story that started so sadly.
Bella has shown incredible strength and courage, and now she will live out her days surrounded by love and care.”
Bella’s journey from near death to a loving forever home shows the power of kindness and resilience.
Her story reminds us that even in the darkest times, there is hope and a chance for a brighter future.
