Humane Society Happy Tails Adoption Story - Best Friends Forever

Pictured is Bella with 5-year old Evan Young - Best Friends Forever

Jessica Young of Vinita, Oklahoma, had decided that she wanted a dog for her three sons 5-year old Evan, 4-year old Cayleb, and 1 1/2-year old Aiden to enjoy. Jessica's family has always believed in adopting homeless shelter animals, so she asked her mother Sherry Young to visit the Humane Society of Grove and Grand Lake to choose a dog that she felt could become a member of the family.

Even though there are many dogs living at the shelter just waiting to be adopted, Sherry felt certain that she would be able to choose the right dog for her daughter's family. When she visited the Humane Society, the shelter manager escorted her throughout the kennels and runs, but when she saw Bella, she knew immediately this was the dog for the Young family boys.

This act of kindness by the Young family is a truly remarkable story, for Bella's story begins when she was found scavenging for food one very cold February day. Her 8 very young puppies were found in a nearby field huddled in a mass to keep warm. Bella's puppies were just a few weeks old and still nursing. How Bella got there and why she did not have a home, no one will ever know. Did her previous owners abandon her and her puppies, not wanting to be responsible for her and her puppies?

But Bella struggled against the cold weather with no food or water and against all other odds to keep her and her puppies alive. She was near starvation when found, and she gratefully allowed all the puppies and herself to be taken to the shelter for food and care. The Humane Society immediately took Bella to a veterinarian for an examination where she was diagnosed to have heartworms, and treatment to save her life began immediately.

Bella was in the Isolation Wing of the shelter when Sherry Young first laid eyes on her. Bella's sad appearance and her diagnosis and treatment did not deter Sherry from choosing Bella for her daughter's family. From looking into Bella's eyes, Sherry knew there would be an immediate connection between Bella and the boys. She was right. Bella and the boys have become Best Friends Forever and she is now an intricate part of the Young family.

Bella had to have another heartworm treatment after adoption, and Evan did not want Bella to travel alone to the vet. For her treatment, she had to stay overnight, but Evan left his favorite Dallas Cowboy blanket with Bella so that she would be comfortable while away from home. Bella is doing fine today and is one of the best additions that the Young family could have made. Happily, all of Bella's puppies were healthy and have found their forever homes as well.