Dear Santa Paws,

I hope you can find me because I moved far away this year – though I’m pretty sure you won’t have any problem because there’s all this white stuff here and I think that I might be living at the North Pole! I haven’t seen any reindeer yet though….

But I did meet the Grinch! I didn’t find him particularly mean, but I do love everyone. While I was there, I also made a new friend named Jackie who bought me my stylish warm coat!

I’ve been as good as I can be – definitely nice list – so I’m hoping to get some yummy treats for Christmas. My foster mom calls me Belly because I just LOVE   treats. And just to be safe, do make sure you put them in place where Mr. Grinch can’t find them!

Love, Bella

Our Bella-1 is having a bit of a tough go with her toes! About a week ago, she tore her dew claw. And now she’s back in the dreaded cone after surgery on another digit.

When Bella arrived, one of her toes was swollen and had no nail. X-rays were done to rule out the presence of a tumour, and to see what might be causing the nail not to grow.

Fortunately, the radiologist’s findings didn’t point to cancer. The concern was that fungal bacteria from a previous infection may have destroyed part of the bone. To be safe, Bella had the abnormal piece of the bone removed and sent out for biopsy. We are awaiting the results.

Bella is wearing a padded boot over her bandage. She is such a trooper – navigating quite well on three paws as her incision heals and is so good and patient with her rechecks. Everything is crossed for a good report and a full and speedy recovery!

It may be a small injury, but it’s a big ouch!  Because of the exposed ‘quick’ – the bundle of nerves and blood vessels inside the nail – a torn dew claw is very painful, as BTRC foster Bella-1 sadly learned.

Given the location of the tear, Bella’s dew claw was removed by the veterinarian under sedation, and she is now on pain medication and antibiotics to ward off any infection. She’ll need to wear the dreaded cone for a week as her foot heals. Bella is a very agreeable patient and is adjusting to the cone quite well, although her foster does report hearing a few sighs when it gets between Bella and her food.

You are a very brave girl Bella, and we know you’ll be all healed up in no time!

Update on our Southern Bella

Bella is the sweetest, happiest dog and mostly just wants to chill with her people. She’s content with a few walks, some play time, treats and her meals. She will do all her business on walks but does enjoy her backyard time, especially if you are out there playing with her (although she’s not really one to chase a ball, she likes to be chased around herself).

She could win an award for best snuggler but also will go off on her own to doze. She loves to catch some rays and recently learned about snow. Although she was not impressed with the cold, white stuff at first, she adapted quickly to her new life as a Canadian, and now doesn’t seem bothered at all. (She is never that impressed about getting up out of a warm bed to go potty in the morning and now that it’s colder, who can blame her?)

Although a little anxious about being left behind and timid overall at first, Bella has really blossomed in her foster home. She’s also quite adept at letting you know how to meet her needs – Treat please! Walk please! I want to cuddle now! And with her cute, expressive face and oversized ears, she always seems to be intently listening to what you have to say as well!

Welcome Bella One!

Bella One (so named because we have more than one Bella!)  is a southern gal, originally hailing from Tennessee. She travelled to Canada with an Ontario rescue that partners with a US group, and has now joined BTRC’s foster program.

We’ll have to be sure to outfit her warmly for her first Canadian winter. Hopefully we can capture her reaction to her first snow!

Ten years of age, this happy, friendly, spunky senior will get a full check-up to see what vet care she may require. So far, Bella is making herself right at home, exploring her new digs, and her foster home looks forward to getting to know her better so we can make the best match in a forever home.

Bella is being fostered in the Durham region of Ontario, and is not yet ready to be considered for adoption.