The thought of losing her family never crossed Carmen Belle’s mind. The pup was convinced that her owner loved her and that they would never give her up.
Heartbreakingly, the 10-year-old Chihuahua’s world was turned upside down when her owner brought her to a Los Angeles shelter and surrendered her.
Just like that, Carmen Belle lost her home and her human. Her former owner didn’t give any explanation as to why they were surrendering her.
It’s difficult to explain how confused and heartbroken Carmen Belle felt when the staff took her to a noisy shelter kennel, which now became her home.
Fearful But Sweet
Although the pup was scared of the shelter environment, she displayed her adorable disposition.
The shelter staff knew that the pup needed an exit from the shelter, so they contacted Frosted Faces Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Ramona, California, devoted to senior pets.
“Carmen Belle was surrendered by her owner with no reason given, but despite being fearful of her new situation, it was clear to staff that she had so much love left to give,” the rescue shared in a Facebook post.
The rescue took her in and two days later, they placed her in a foster home with Mary Jewel, who volunteered to foster her for two weeks.
Shortly after moving in with her foster mom, the timid pup started coming out of her shell.
Carmen had a few health issues to overcome. Upon her arrival at her foster home, she was overweight and required spaying.
After undergoing surgery and a dental procedure, the sweet Chihuahua was ready to start working on her weight. She began her health journey, losing weight through daily exercise and plenty of care.
According to Kelly Smišek, the co-founder of Frosted Faces, Carmen’s story is a reminder of why so many senior pets end up in shelters.
“As pets age, their medical needs often increase, and the cost of veterinary care can become overwhelming for families. Sometimes, guardians pass away, move into care facilities, or face life transitions like job loss, divorce, or housing restrictions. Sadly, these circumstances leave people with no choice but to surrender a beloved pet,” Smišek said in an interview.
Jewel enjoyed spending time with the pup, so she volunteered to foster her until she found a forever home.
Finding The Love Of Her Life
When Jewel needed to travel, a wonderful volunteer named Christine stepped in to watch over the pup for a week.
As soon as Christine saw Carmen Belle, she noticed how much she resembled her own Chihuahua named Zoe.
Shortly after welcoming the pup to her home, she fell in love with her.
Carmen settled well into Christine’s home. She loved cuddling on the couch and going on walks.
At first, Christine wasn’t sure about adopting another senior pet mostly because both Zoe and Carmen had heart conditions. However, the bond she made with Carmen was too strong, and it chased her fears away.
The moment that Christine realized that Carmen loved them was when her foster mom visited her. The pup became sad and afraid that she would have to leave Christine and Zoe, whom she loved immensely.
The kind woman became convinced that the pup belonged with them, and she adopted her. Carmen helped her new family get over the loss of their 17-year-old pup Cassie, filling the void in their hearts.
We’re overjoyed that Carmen found happiness after she endured a major heartbreak.
Thank you to Christine for opening your heart to her and making her feel safe and loved.