A couple of years ago, Lieschen O’Neill stopped by the Lawrence Humane Society in Kansas, planning only to look around. But as Lieschen herself later said, “nobody goes to the Humane Society just to look.”
And sure enough, she left not just with memories of a visit, but with a brand-new family member who changed her life. That dog, whom she lovingly named Belle, has been by her side ever since.
Belle is far from an ordinary rescue pup. She’s unlike any dog most people have ever met, but that uniqueness is exactly what makes her so special and adored.
Meet Belle
When Belle was about a year old and nearly full grown, her family began to notice something unusual about her.
She had always looked a bit distinctive, but as she matured, the difference became more visible.
Something about her eyes made her look as though she was constantly wide-eyed with surprise.
Curious about what could be causing it, her family decided to bring her to the veterinarian for a closer look.
The vet examined Belle’s eyes and facial structure, eventually offering an explanation.
She had likely been stuck in the birth canal during delivery, which affected the muscles around her face and pulled them back slightly as she grew.
“As a result, everything was kind of pulled back a little bit. So her eyes kind of look a little bit bug-eyed, but everything’s there and she’s totally fine,” Belle’s mom told We Love Animals.
Though her eyes sometimes get dry, Belle only needs prescription eye drops on occasion. Other than that, she is perfectly healthy. She simply has a look that sets her apart from the rest.
Unique And Beautiful
When Lieschen first walked through the doors of the Humane Society, Belle was already waiting in her kennel.
The moment she spotted her, Belle rushed up to the gate and pressed her little face against the bars, eager for attention.
She was full of energy and desperate for affection.
“She just jumped up in my lap, licked my face, and at that moment, we knew we were going home with Belle. It was a great day,” Lieschen said.
Today, Belle is at the very heart of their lives. Her family can’t imagine their world without her warmth and companionship.
For them, Belle is the best dog they could have ever hoped for. Her quirks only add to her charm, and her personality shines through every day.
She’s an excellent listener, a loyal companion, and a constant source of joy.
And there’s one thing she loves above all else, slippers.
“She adores slippers so much, she loves to carry them around. She will maybe pick up one slipper or two slippers, sometimes even three slippers and see how many she can get in her mouth and just carry them around,” Lieschen said.
Aside from her trademark wide-eyed look and her funny obsession with slippers, Belle is just like any other happy pup.
She loves her naps, tasty treats, belly rubs, and, most importantly, the affection of her family.
Her sweet and silly adventures can be followed on Instagram and TikTok, where she continues to win hearts every day.