Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs Day – The Story of One Shelter Dog
By epetsure
For anyone who has ever adopted a dog from a shelter, you know how wonderful these amazing pets are. August 1st is also known as Dogust 1st, the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs Day. Dogust 1st was founded by the North Shore Animal League America. This special birthday applies to shelter and all other rescue dogs that don’t have an official birth date on file.
To commemorate this special day, and in honor of all shelter dogs, this is the story of one shelter dog that holds a very special place in my heart.
It had been just over a month since my grandfather passed, and we felt my grandmother was sinking into a depression. All her life, she had been taking care of her husband, her children and her grandchildren. But now, we were all grown, and with my grandfather gone, we thought she needed someone she could love, who would be there for her every day, when we could not. My mom decided she needed a dog.
We weren’t even sure if my grandma wanted dog, but Mom wanted to surprise her with one anyway. So after looking at a local humane society’s website, we went to visit the dogs available for adoption. Out of the many dogs they had, we chose to spend time with three. The first one didn’t seem very interested in us. The second one was too hyper. Then finally, the third one came. The humane society called her SassyPants, but I could tell right away that name did not fit her personality.
Humane Society photo of SassyPants
As soon as she came into the small, enclosed yard, she walked right over to mom and me, smelled us and let us pet her. Then she walked a few feet away to do her business, and shortly thereafter, returned for my pets and affection. She had a gentle demeanor, and the volunteer showed us that she was very tolerant of people handling, snuggling and holding her.
I looked to my mom. I knew that if we took this dog home with us, there was no way I would allow her to be brought back to the shelter. My heart wouldn’t allow it. And I made sure mom understood that if for any reason my grandma didn’t want her, that we would keep her. We already had a dog, but it was a risk we had to take.
My mom agreed and we got her. She jumped into our SUV, and stood on the console between the seats like she’d done it a hundred times before. She was sweet, and I whispered into her ear. “You’re never coming back here again.”
I didn’t know if she understood or even heard me, but it was a promise I was intent on keeping. As we drove her to my grandma’s home, we wondered how Grandma would react. To our pleasant surprise, she embraced the idea, and renamed the dog, Bella.
First photo of Bella (center)
Not even one hour into her homecoming, Bella decided to give us a run for our money when she escaped out the open garage door and took off. The whole family gave chase, trying to find her as she raced up and down the streets of our neighborhood. Even my grandmother went around the block, calling her, looking for her, hoping for her safe return. We had almost given up, and the family was slowly coming back to my grandma’s house, desperate, exhausted and empty handed. And that’s when we saw the unthinkable. There was Bella, sitting in the middle of the front lawn, as if she had been waiting for us, wondering what we were doing running around like that. It was hilarious and a huge relief. Still, we never could figure out how she knew exactly which house to come back to. She’d only been there an hour at most.
One thing became abundantly clear – she was smart. Bella stayed with my grandmother for about a week, until my grandma finally decided that having a dog was a little bit more than she could handle. We couldn’t blame her, and I reminded my mom about the promise I made her make at the shelter. Reluctantly, mom agreed to bring Bella home to our house.
Basking in the sun in the first few weeks with us
The people at the humane society told us that she had food aggression with other dogs and could be a little unpredictable with other animals. We didn’t think much of it at the time since we planned on having her live with my grandma who didn’t have any other pets. But now that she was coming home with us, all those thoughts came to the forefront of our minds. Bella was slightly bigger than our dog, and we worried how they would get along.
Right away, Bella made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Every time our dog, Coby, came up to her, she gave him a nasty growl, and if he didn’t back off right away, she didn’t wait long before striking out. Poor Coby was a friendly little dog, that meant no harm, but Bella didn’t know that. And the food aggression — the humane society staff wasn’t kidding. Every time there was any food, Bella would show her teeth. After a few weeks, Mom had had enough and wanted to take her back to the shelter, but I said no. She needed more time, I insisted. She’d been through two shelters, and who knows what else. She just needed more time and lots of love.
Kisses! 2 months after adopting Bella
I could tell Mom’s patience was weaning and she feared for Coby’s safety. I did too, but I hoped that I was right. Besides, I already loved her so much. I let her sleep on my bed with me. I didn’t think she’d ever slept on a real bed because the first few weeks, she fell off almost every night. And she growled at Coby when I put him on, but I gave her a stern no, and she either backed off, or got taken off the bed. Slowly but surely, she learned the bed was to be shared. And that it was “my bed” and not hers, even if she was welcome on it.
With the food aggression, I came up with the idea that whenever we fed the dogs, we had to use their names to indicate which dog the food was for. The idea worked and soon her food aggression diminished.
Bella is a sweet little girl at heart
Taking her for walks was no picnic either. If she saw another dog anywhere, even from a block away, she would start to growl and snarl, but I persisted in telling her no. Eventually, she understood and started to snort instead of growl, which made me laugh so much, it was hard to reprimand her for it.
Halloween 2013. Six weeks after adopting her, Bella was already posing for photos with Coby.
It was clear from the beginning that she loved going for car rides, she didn’t mind large bodies of water, like the ocean, and she loved hiding in small, dark places, like behind couches and under beds.
Bella loves car rides!
Our dog Coby on the other hand, was afraid of those things. But together with Bella, he slowly learned that going in the car wasn’t the end of the world, the beach was a fun place to run and chase toys and other dogs, even into the ice cold ocean, and going under beds was a lot like having your very own built in fort, to collect toys and other treasures found around the house, like bottle caps and torn up tissues.
Bella loves sleeping on my bed that she now happily shares with Coby
Not long after Bella came home with us, we learned that my grandmother had glioblastoma, an incurable and fatal brain tumor. She passed away eight months later, and of all the wonderful gifts she gave me in my life, Bella was one of her last and most precious.
My grandmother and I were so close. We could talk about anything, like best friends, and I loved her so very much, and still do. We got Bella as a gift for her, but God knew better, and in the end, our gift to her was one of her parting gifts to us – to me.
Bella is quite the fashionista
Bella and I bonded so much in our first few weeks and months together. Now, three years later almost to the day, I call her my best buddy. We sleep together, we eat together, we go for car rides together, and weather and time permitting, I take her to the dog beach where she gets her thrills chasing bigger dogs, while always keeping a watchful eye on her little brother, Coby.
These two are inseparable!
Never in my life was I happier to be right. Bella is an amazing dog, with a wonderful temperament and disposition. All she needed was time – to trust, to love, to know that she was safe, and home.
It wasn’t love at first sight, but it’s definitely love forevermore.
There are nearly 4 million homeless dogs in America, and all of them deserve a happy birthday and a happy ending. Happy Birthday to my sweet Bella, and to all the amazing dogs who bring the world so much joy and unconditional love.
Bella was adopted on September 11, 2013 from the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas, California. Visit their website or stop by your local humane society today, and bring home your new best friend. And when you’re ready to purchase pet insurance for your newly adopted friend, let epetsure help you compare plans.
Bella is truly a love bug
