A puppy mill is defined as “an establishment that breeds puppies for sale, typically on an intensive basis and in conditions regarded as inhumane.” That's where Belle lived for 12 years. The elderly Chihuahua was discovered by rescue volunteers from Bianca Associado, in Portugal. Horrified at her condition, the took her in and changed her life.
All she had ever known was the inside of a small cage, where she had litter after litter of puppies. She had never even seen the sunlight. From lack of use, her muscles had weakened to the point where she could not even walk. When Bianca Associado found her, she was very sick.
She was in awful shape with glaucoma in her left eye, terribly ingrown nails, and her tiny body was riddled with parasites. The rescue organization took immediate action. After treatment for her many ailments, she was adopted by a kind lady named Irene from the Netherlands.
The first two months were so hard on her as she battled leishmania (a single cell parasite), had several surgeries including removal of all her teeth which were rotten and falling out, and then, sadly, the removal of her left eye. The pain from the pressure of glaucoma was miserable. She had a rough time coming out of anesthesia and scared everybody when she had a heart attack and needed resuscitation.
Four happy years passed as Bella learned to interact with the wide, wide world. At first, everything scared her, including sounds and sudden movements. She had to learn to walk and trust the humans who cared for her. But she didn't have to do it alone—she had lots of friends who accepted her for the sweet dog she was.
Enjoying the sunshine became one of her favorite things to do.
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