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Cheery Shelter Dog Loses Hope And Shuts Down, Staff Affixes Sign To Kennel

Written by: Julie Hunt
Julie Hunt is an avid dog lover and writer for iHeartDogs.com, and has a background as a veterinary technician. She rescued a beautiful former bait dog named Rory.Read more
| Published on May 13, 2024

Bella, a shelter dog, was a sweet dog with a sunny disposition. She was always eager to give cuddles and lots of tail wags but that all changed. This cheerful shelter dog was a bundle of energy until her fate took an unexpected twist. Rather than quickly finding her forever home, Bella faced over 100 days of waiting to be adopted. Those long nights and days confined in a small cage proved to be her worst nightmare, as she was soon dubbed the dog that nobody wanted.

@humanebroward/TikTok

For high-spirited Bella, this label was something she never anticipated. This 3-year-old was surrendered to the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by her owner, who had to give her up because his landlord did not allow Bully breeds.

https://www.tiktok.com/@humanebroward/video/7270252411418119466

Even though she had a heart-wrenching goodbye with her owner, Bella maintained her charm. She remained a lovable character, always ready to welcome any bit of attention. However, as months went by, Bella’s cheerful demeanor deteriorated. Instead of securing a new home swiftly as expected, she remained in “prison” for more than 100 days. After 130 days, Bella hit rock bottom. She began to withdraw, and her vibrant spirit faded.

@humanebroward/TikTok

Bella’s usual happy-go-lucky self gave way to signs of depression. She lay on the floor, staring blankly, showing no interest in any activity. The HSBC staff realized they needed to act quickly to find Bella a home, so they devised a plan. They wrote up a sign to affix to Bella’s kennel, detailing her plight:

“I try to keep my spirits up but after 130 days in this lonely cage, I’m starting to think no one will ever pick me. I don’t understand. I’m potty trained, well-behaved, love fetch, the kiddie pool, I love the tiniest of children and big humans too,” the sign said.

@humanebroward/TikTok

Following this, they shot a video and uploaded it to their official TikTok, not anticipating the rapid response it would garner. Incredibly, in less than 24 hours, Bella had found a new home.

@humanebroward/TikTok

A woman from Delray Beach, Florida, saw the video and drove to the shelter, eager to be the first in line to adopt Bella—and she was! Bella and her new mom clicked instantly. The shelter staff noted that Bella and her new owner had similar energies, making their bond immediate. Soon, Bella was on her way home with her new favorite person, ready to start a wonderful new chapter of her life, confident that her future was now perfect!

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