It seemed like an ordinary day for Heather Tolaro until she received a call from a friend in Illinois who had discovered a stray dog wandering near her home.
The friend explained that the pup had a rope tied tightly around her neck. Because she was allergic to dogs, she couldn’t keep her, so she asked Heather to step in and care for the dog temporarily.
Concerned, Heather and her daughter headed over right away to meet the frightened but friendly pup.
A Desperate Situation
When Heather first met the dog, she was surprised by how cheerful and trusting she seemed despite her rough condition.
The dog wagged her tail and leaned into their touch, instantly melting their hearts. At that moment, Heather knew she had to help.
The rope around the pup’s neck made it clear that she once belonged to someone. Hoping to find her family, Heather began searching.
She said in an interview: “We contacted shelters, the police, animal control, and I’ve posted her picture on lost dog pages on community pages.”
The search extended across Illinois, but no one came forward. Heather even took the pup to be scanned for a microchip, but there was no record.
Then, just a few days later, Heather’s mother-in-law came across a shocking video online showing a dog being thrown from a car. She immediately suspected it was the same dog.
Heartbroken by what she had learned, Heather decided that this dog, now named Bella Star, would never have to experience cruelty again. She would keep her safe and loved from now on.
Heather said: “It’s weird, and I don’t really understand it, but it’s as if we’ve had her for her entire life. She is fully trained; she sleeps in the bed with us; she gets excited for car rides, excited for walks. I don’t understand.”
Bella Star Finds Her Family
When Heather shared Bella Star’s story on TikTok, the response was overwhelming. Thousands of people commented, sharing sympathy and admiration for the resilient pup.
One person wrote: “She loves you, you are the chosen one, something bad happened at her last house.”
From the start, Bella Star seemed to sense she was finally safe, quickly bonding with Heather and her family.
Another viewer added: “My pitbull mix does not like men and I think it’s because she was in a fighting ring and either got out or was let go as a puppy.”
The idea resonated with Heather, who also suspected that Bella Star’s past may have involved neglect or abuse. Whatever she had endured, it was clear she was now where she was meant to be.
Someone else commented: “American bully babies are the most cuddly babies.”
And judging by how tightly Bella Star hugged Heather in her videos, that sentiment was absolutely true.
After all she has survived, Bella Star is finally living the life every dog deserves: safe, cared for, and deeply loved.
Her painful past may never be fully understood, but with Heather’s compassion, she now has the future she was always meant to have.