A dog rescued from drowning in a river has found a forever home with a retired couple.
Bella was 10 years old when she was rescued after drowning with her lead tied to a large rock submerged in the water.
Two dog walkers saw her fight in the waters of the River Trent and she was rescued and then taken to a local veterinarian for emergency treatment.
While a police investigation was underway, Bella, a shepherd-type breed, was brought into the care of the Radcliffe Animal Center in Nottingham, where staff members looked after her.
Those who looked after her said that she was lucky enough to survive her ordeal because the water was frozen and they later discovered that she had a number of complex health needs.
After months of rehabilitation, Bella’s life has changed completely and she now lives in her eternal home with the retired couple, Maggie and Charlie.
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The couple say that Since they have had German Shepherds before and have the time to give them the love and attention they deserve in their later years, they were the perfect match.
Maggie said, “We as a family have had three German Shepherds in the past 30 years and we love them. Two years ago we lost our rescue dog Tia / Luna and this year my daughter’s dog Flame. We missed her.
“Then we saw Bella’s story in the press a few weeks ago and the fact that she needed a home, so my daughter Clare Lusher encouraged us to apply for her.
“We know that she needs regular veterinary appointments and is willing to finance them. We know she is older, but we just want to give her a loving home that she deserves after everything she has been through.
“We’re both retired so that our company will always have what it needs and it will be great for us too.”
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Charlie added, “We were horrified by what happened to Bella and when we visited, we realized what a great personality she has and she is perfect for us.
Jane, who rescued Bella from the rock in the river, said, “It is quite emotional to see Bella as it brings back memories of that terrible day, but we are thrilled to see how she was transformed by the staff here at the RSPCA .
“She looks like a different dog – her coat is beautiful and she looks so happy and full of life. It is great to see how she was rehabilitated and that she will now spend the rest of her days in a loving home. It was.” So nice to meet Bella’s new owners and we said we’d keep in touch. “
A woman was given a 12 month injunction after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary harm to Bella in attempting to drown her. She was also fined £ 80, cost £ 200 and a sacrifice surcharge of £ 32. She was also banned from keeping dogs for three years.
The perfect happy ending
Ella Carpenter, manager at the Radcliffe Animal Center, said, “This is the perfect happy ending for a story that began so sadly and there were real doubts as to whether Bella could get through after her terrible ordeal.
“Sometimes we thought she just couldn’t make it, with her age and underlying health conditions, all of which speak against her. But Bella has fought every day, showing enviable strength and courage, and didn’t want to give up her fight to recover.
“Our animal care assistant Sophie Major worked as hard as the rest of the team and gave Bella so much love to help her, and I know she is missing.
“But we know that Bella will now be able to live the rest of her life with the love and respect she has always deserved.
“Maggie and Charlie are perfect with their experience with this breed and they are aware of the challenges of caring for them as an older dog but are happy to take her in for as long as she is left.
“They have a big safe yard that Bella needs as she doesn’t like being with other dogs and they have a lot of time and love to give it.”
