Bella.... leaves Heathlawn!!!!!!!

They say that all good things come to those who wait. Be it a human being waiting to find their true love in life or an animal waiting to find their forever home. Some times it may take years for this to happen, some times sadly it may never happen. For a very very special older lady named Bella, her years of waiting have finally paid off!!!!

As hundreds of you know Bella has been with us for approximately 7 years. She was rescued from the most horrific case of animal cruelty, came to us with multiple tumours, emaciated and probably the worst thing of all she was petrified to within an inch of her life of men. For the staff at Heathlawn who have loved and cared for Bella since the first day she arrived, this has been a very emotional journey for them as well as Bella. To see this precious lady slowly come back to life and learn that not all hands who reach out will hurt her. Not all hands who touch her will result in her pulling away in fear and feeling pain. She has come to be the most amazing lady at Heathlawn. She has mothered hundreds of lost, abandoned abused wee puppies and dogs. She has gone to them and gently brought them in to her space, in to the warmth of her bosom and cleaned them and tried to nurse them. She has done this for so many years and it would bring tears to even the hardest of hearts.

Hundreds of people have come and gone through Heathlawn over the years. Hundreds have stopped and admired Bella, stroked her beautiful head and her lovely long hound ears, but sadly she was passed by. So Bella became our older lady mascot at Heathlawn. And then.... Oh boy did things change. Not only for Bella but for everyone who has known her over the years. Suddenly we all had to say goodbye to this very precious lady and it was floods of tears. We were not sure was it tears of happiness or sadness or a whole bucket load of emotions!!!! Bella who waited so so long, patiently and quietly finally left Heathlawn. And to a home that, to be honest with you, all rescues really only dream of. Bella has gone to a home with three other amazing elderly dogs, to a new mother who fell in love with her the minute she saw her. Bella had finally made it "Home". She graced our lives and hearts for many, many wonderful years at Heathlawn, but she has finally gone home. Just look at her photos. Pictures speak volumes.

Goodbye dear lady... Oh God we will miss you, but we Thank God that you found your forever home. Please SHARE Bella's story far and wide and let the world know how amazing it is to home an elderly dog. A dog that has been through so so much and yet beat the odds. And best of all given a huge fingers up to her abuser!!! Yes, Bella survived, Bella was strong and Bella has proven that no matter how cruel you abusers are, love and strength and unity from the world who does not abuse animals will always win in the end.

A heartfelt "Thank you" to Aideen Holohan who took Bella in to her home, family and heart. Bella.... Bella is home at last. (g)