Bella lived a life no dog should have to know. When SPCA of Texas animal cruelty investigators found her, she was tethered to a tree with a cable and so emaciated she was hardly more than skin and bones. The cable had become so deeply embedded in the skin of her neck that it almost reached the cervical vertebrae of her spine. Our investigators had to use bolt cutters to free Bella from the tree. 

Two months later, Bella is still healing and gaining weight. She is a delight to anyone who interacts with her, always pining for attention and begging staff and volunteers to toss a tennis ball for her. Due to her unfortunate start in life, she is still learning how to be around other dogs. As our veterinary team heals her body, our behavior team is helping her learn how to be a dog again. This is what we live for: making these abused animals feel safe, healthy and loved for perhaps the first time in their lives. 

This sweet, friendly pup will carry the physical and emotional scars of her abuse for the rest of her life, but Bella is so full of hope for the future. Bella hopes that, when she’s finally ready for adoption, she’ll soon find a family that will treat her with the love, respect and affection that she has always deserved.

Thanks to donors like you who make donations on #GivingTuesday and all year round, we are able to rescue animals just like Bella from harm. To support our continued efforts to rescue animals in North Texas from cruelty, please visit spca.org/givingtuesday. All donations you make today will be triple matched by Northern Trust.