Her owner had used Bella as a puppy-breeding machine for most of her life, and then wanted to dispose of her. Irish Retriever Rescue-UK found her a forever home with Novena Dee on April 2nd 2005. The state of her fur and body required immediate treatment and surgery. Her coat was badly matted - obviously dating back years; her ears required to be syringed; she had a fractured canine tooth which was causing her pain, and an additional damaged tooth, both of which had to be removed. In addition she had a very large, fatty lump on her chest and a small hard lump on her vulva, both of which had to be removed. Within a few days Novena had brushed and cut out all the matting and arranged for Bella to have all the necessary surgery, at a cost of almost £800, which was most of Novenas savings but Bella was well worth it to her. The canine tooth was a particularly painful operation for Bella, as the gum had to be cut right down to remove it, and then sewn up again. It would appear from the damage to her teeth that Bella had spent most of her life outside, in a small area surrounded by a wire fence, and she had been chewing on the wire. The big fatty lump was so deep seated that it was lodged in a muscle. The vet had to cut out part of the muscle to remove the entire lump. She had never seen such a deep seated lump, and advised that Bella must have spent her life on a very hard surface, and had developed the lump to protect her breast bone. Where Novena thought Bellas skin was ingrained with dirt, the vet stated that Bella had suffered skin disease from lying on hard, cold surfaces. Bellas ear channels are very narrow and this was caused by several untreated ear infections over the years, and also from neglect in not plucking the little internal ear hairs. In addition Bella's hind leg muscles are very weak from years of lack of exercise. Her poor body is exhausted from the years of abuse, and her face and sad eyes also show this. Sadly all this is typical of an ex-breeding bitch from a puppy farm. Despite all she has suffered she is gentle and trusting. In time, with love, care and security, the tiredness will fade and she will gain more energy and confidence, all of which will ultimately reflect in her face and eyes. Bella is now recovering and has settled in very well. She wins the hearts of all who meet her. Her main focus at present is asking to be stroked and hugged - she cannot get enough of it - and who can blame her? She has never known tenderness. She has so many new things to see and do, but most of all she has to experience the happiness and love she deserves. Bella was sadly taken from Novena just as she was learning to enjoy life and now is at Rainbow Bridge
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