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History
Bella came into our care as a medical case, but behind her complicated medical history we discovered an extraordinarily affectionate and joyful dog.
She is a beautiful Labrador mix, and according to our veterinarian, she is quite close to being a purebred Labrador. Her personality certainly reflects that — friendly, enthusiastic, food-loving, and completely devoted to people.
Bella's exact age remains a mystery. Her official birth date was estimated as May 2017, but our veterinarian believes she is younger. We later discovered that she was microchipped in spring 2019, suggesting she may have been born around January 2019.
Her history also suggests she may previously have been used for breeding, although this cannot be confirmed.
Despite everything she has experienced, Bella approaches life with an extraordinary amount of happiness and love.
Personality
Bella is an incredibly friendly, affectionate, enthusiastic, and people-oriented dog who seems genuinely delighted by absolutely everything.
She loves people wholeheartedly and cannot get enough attention. Whether it's cuddles, walks, treats, or simply being included in everyday activities, Bella wants to be part of it all.
She is wonderfully sociable and shows enthusiasm toward adults, children, dogs, and cats. Sometimes her excitement gets the better of her, and she is still learning that not everyone needs to be greeted immediately and with her full enthusiasm.
Bella is also extremely food motivated, which makes training rewarding and enjoyable. She is curious, intelligent, eager to participate, and particularly attentive when treats are involved.
One of her most touching qualities is how much she appreciates affection. After what may have been years of being overlooked, she is discovering the joy of having humans who genuinely care about her.
Overall, Bella is a happy, loving, slightly overenthusiastic companion with an enormous heart and an infectious enthusiasm for life.
Behaviour Around Other Animals
Bella is very interested in other animals and approaches both dogs and cats with friendliness and enthusiasm.
She enjoys social interaction but can sometimes become overly excited when meeting new companions. She is still learning to respect other animals' personal space and understand that not every animal wants an enthusiastic greeting.
With careful introductions and appropriate supervision, Bella may be able to share her home with compatible dogs or cats.
Behaviour Around Children
Bella loves children and is naturally friendly and affectionate toward them.
However, her enthusiasm can sometimes make her a little overwhelming, especially for very young children.
She would do best with children who understand dogs and a family willing to teach her calm greetings and appropriate boundaries.
Leash Behaviour
Bella enjoys walks, exploring her surroundings, and spending time outdoors with her humans.
Despite her orthopedic condition, she remains surprisingly mobile and enthusiastic about everyday activities.
Her walks should be gentle, controlled, and adapted to her physical comfort, avoiding excessive exercise or activities that could aggravate her joints.
Training & House-manners
🧠 Intelligent, curious, and eager to learn
🍖 Extremely food motivated
🏡 Learning household routines and boundaries
🐾 Enthusiastic and willing to participate in training
Bella is still discovering what living inside a home means. She needs patient guidance, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help her develop good manners.
She is currently learning the routines of living in a home, including boundaries, predictable daily activities, and settling into family life. She loves being involved in whatever her humans are doing and appreciates attention throughout the day.
Her ideal routine would include gentle walks, mental stimulation, affection, regular rest, and consistent medical care. A comfortable sleeping area and a home environment adapted to her joint problems will also be important.
Favourite things?
Food, treats, and anything remotely edible
Cuddles, attention, and human affection
Meeting people and making new friends
Gentle walks and exploring
Participating in family activities
Being included in absolutely everything
What Makes Him/Her Unhappy/Nervous?
Bella generally approaches life with excitement and curiosity rather than fear.
Her main challenge is managing her enthusiasm, as she sometimes struggles to contain her happiness when greeting people or other animals.
She benefits from patient guidance and positive reinforcement.
Size
Approximately 25 kg
Energy Rating
1 = very low - 5 = very high
3/5 – Enthusiastic and playful, but with physical limitations. Bella has a joyful, active personality, although her exercise needs to be carefully adapted to protect her joints and maintain her comfort.
Health status
Bella has a significant orthopedic history that her future family must understand.
Several years ago, she suffered untreated cranial cruciate ligament ruptures in both knees, which eventually caused severe arthritis. Compensating for her hind legs also resulted in arthritic changes in her elbows.
Her X-rays show substantial damage, yet her actual mobility and quality of life are remarkably good. Even orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ober was surprised by how well Bella walks and functions compared with her radiographs.
Bella currently receives Librela and additional pain medication, including a COX inhibitor, acetaminophen, and gabapentin. She will require lifelong pain management, regular veterinary monitoring, and ongoing financial commitment.
Apart from her orthopedic problems, Bella appears to be in good general health. She was also spayed in June.
Most importantly, Bella currently enjoys a good quality of life. She walks, explores, plays, seeks affection, and continues to greet every day with extraordinary enthusiasm.
Her condition is serious, but it does not define who she is. Bella needs a family who understands her limitations, is prepared to provide lifelong medical support, and can see beyond her X-rays to the wonderful dog she truly is.
Bella has so much love left to give. All she needs is someone willing to give her the comfort, care, and happiness she has always deserved.
Bella is available for adoption in Romania, Germany, UK, France or Sweden.
Would thrive with a loving family ready to give her gentle walks, a joint-friendly home and lifelong medical care.
📩 Contact us to schedule a video meet or visit.
❤️ Donations are always welcome if you can’t adopt.
Please mention “BELLA” in the description.
💸 Bank account: ASOCIATIA ELSA'S HAVEN
CIF: 51618910 RON: RO48BTRLRONCRT0CX7931201
EUR: RO92BTRLEURCRT0CX7931201
USD: RO07BTRLUSDCRT0CX7931201
💶 Estimated monthly care costs: 200 EUR