The life of a dog can change in an instant. One day they feel safe in their homes next to the people they love. The next day, they find themselves in an unfamiliar place.
Many shelter dogs struggle with that sudden transition. They miss their old routines and the dear voices they once recognized. They hope their owners will come for them, but instead, they wait in lonely kennels, wondering what the next day brings.
Bella, a young Border Collie, experienced that heartbreaking change when her family moved away and left her behind.
The pup looked utterly lost when she arrived at the Benton Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick, Washington. She found herself in a new place, so different from the home she once knew.
Bella didn’t understand why she was suddenly alone.
Bella’s Journey Begins
Bella was ten months old when she was admitted to the shelter. She was scared and didn’t let her true personality show.
Staff members noticed how she hid under her bed, trying to make herself small as people walked by. She questioned everything and didn’t know whom she could trust.
Volunteer Julie Saraceno saw something in Bella’s behavior. She knew how stressed the pup felt, so she decided Bella needed a break from the kennel. Julie wanted her to experience the world again, even if only for a little while.
A Day Of Fun And Heartbreak
It was raining the day Julie took Bella out, but the weather didn’t seem to bother the pup.
The moment the pup got into the car, she relaxed. She enjoyed the calm atmosphere and looked out the window. It was the first time she had left the shelter since arriving.
Julie decided to treat her to a pup cup, something Bella had never tasted.
“I think it might have been her first one,” Julie shared in the video.
Bella licked the treat carefully at first, then with more excitement as she realized it was meant for her.
At that moment, her fear seemed to disappear. Bella’s true personality started to emerge. The timid pup who once hid under her bed was beginning to trust again.
“She immediately was a different dog,” Julie said in an interview.
“She did wonderful in the car too. I think she would be a great adventure buddy,” Julie added.
Going Back To The Shelter
Unfortunately, Bella’s happiness was short-lived. Julie had to return her back to the shelter.
As they approached the door of the shelter, Bella slowed down and looked around. She seemed to try to understand why the day had to end. Viewers felt her sadness deeply.
“The way she stopped when she realized she was back. My heart is breaking for her,” one person wrote.
Bella is still waiting for her forever family to find her. Her favorite activities are playing fetch, going on walks, and enjoying little adventures like pup cups and car rides.
The sweet pup only needs someone who will see her the way Julie did and give her the home she deserves.