I adopted Bella a little over two years ago, and she has changed my life in ways I never expected. Bella came from a breeder in Missouri who was inhumanely breeding corgis for profit. When she was rescued, the vet confirmed she had already had around five litters, even though she was only about five years old. She had been bred since she was a puppy, and the trauma left her extremely scared of everyone and everything. Her fur was matted, her nails were overgrown to the point it made it difficult for her to walk, she had patches of missing fur, and her stomach was covered in abnormal bruising. We were told she spent most of her days in a cage, never seeing daylight or being exposed to anything other than the barn she was kept in with 40 other corgis. For days after we got her, she would hide in corners, refused to eat or drink for up to a week, and would submit to anything out of fear. Sounds of birds, cars, footsteps, really anything scared her to the point of physically shaking. Even the wind would frighten her. It was clear to us she had never been able to play outside, sniff grass, or walk freely until being rescued. It broke my heart to see her so afraid, but I was determined to give her the love and patience she deserved.

After about a year, Bella began to open up. She became a completely different dog—she runs, plays, and cuddles (her favorite thing in the world). She has now grown fond of walking in grass (something that used to scare her) and loves to sniff plants. Watching her transformation has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Bella has become so much more than my dog; she is a deeply loved member of our family, with the gentlest soul and the most loving heart. She brings comfort and joy to everyone she meets, and I want nothing more than to make the rest of her life as peaceful and happy as possible.

Unfortunately, Bella’s past neglect has led to serious health issues. During her time on the farm, she developed severe gingivitis and periodontitis which we believe may have come from her eating fecal matter due to lack of food. Her dentist has told us she needs to have all her teeth removed to prevent any further health complications, including her already predetermined organ failure. She drools uncontrollably, is unable to eat anything other than very soft foods, and is showing signs of weakness, changes in urination/thirst, confusion, and pale gums. Her chronic bad breath and the visible signs of teeth and gum damage are extremely apparent to anyone who is around her. According to her vet, the longer we wait to have this surgery the higher her chance of organ failure gets. I am currently in grad school, working on my capstone project, and I simply cannot afford the cost of this major surgery, especially since I want to ensure Bella is pain-free and under anesthesia for the procedure. She has already been through so much, and I want to do everything I can to make this as easy on her as possible. Any support, no matter how small, truly means the world to us and helps us give Bella the care she deserves. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.