Introducing Bella

Bella is a (~) 6 month old Sato (pronounced saw-toe, meaning=street dog) from Puerto Rico that we met at the local Humane Society. If the staff is to be believed, she was unapproachable in her cage however, when I first saw her, I called her name and she came running up to me kissing my fingers through the fencing and trying to climb through the cage to get as close as possible.

Bella cowered in her cage at the shelter, would not walk on the leash and had to be carried from her kennel out to the greeting area so we could meet her. We took her outside and she just continued to shake - albeit while clinging to me and trying to get even closer than in my lap. When the staff tried to play with her back inside, she didn't seem to know what to do with the toys provided.

We brought her home last Tuesday night and within 15 minutes, knew we had been "played". Didn't know how to play? Cowering scared little thing? HA! Her tail hasn't stopped wagging since she walked in the door, she has discovered each and every one of my dearly departed dog's old toys (as well as my socks, teddy bears, anything that resides below the level of her mouth...) and has my husband wrapped around her little finger! She plays like a maniac running full speed and then "pouncing" on whatever happened to catch her interest (most often mom or, more precisely, mom's hair.) She recently discovered the comforts of the human bed, has "conquered" the giant stairwell monster and fell asleep in the vet's office. She's just so stressed out. ;)



She is such a treat to watch as she continues to explore and gain confidence in her new surroundings. It's simply amazing how resilient dogs are in their trust. We surely don't deserve it. For one enlightening article on the existence of these Sato dogs, read this: http://www.projo.com/pets/content/lb-puerto_dogs_05-18-08_GMA4UE3_v33.19266ce.html Warning to the kind-of-heart: be careful if you choose to visit the website mentioned in this article - graphic pictures abound. See also: http://www.saveasato.org This is the group that rescued Bella. I can't thank them enough.

Some of you might remember I lost my beautiful old Labrador Beau back in May and I have really been struggling with the loss. Bella has helped to fill that doggie-sized hole but the Beau-sized one will always remain. The nun who rescued Bella in Puerto Rico named her, however, in honor of Beau, we'll keep her name as is. Bella is the Spanish feminine of beautiful as Beau is the French masculine. Both words share the same Latin etymology of Bellus meaning "pretty/handsome". It fits. :)

Thank you for rescuing Bella - she surely is....:hi:

:hug: But yeah, she's a pretty girl. :) Thanks!

And then she wakes up. ;)

She is precious but every day her personality comes out more and more. She trusts us implicity and as such, she's a bit of a mischief maker. Oh well, that's what puppies are for. :)

A sweet and intelligent looking pup, and seemingly so relieved to have found a real 'home' with you. Congratulations!

During my travels I have always been in awe of the free roaming dogs. Unlike U.S. dog laws, many European and other countries seem to allow this.
In southern Europe they abound and own the streets. Most are fed, apparently, and yet are not 'owned'. And they know people so well. They 'adopt' people...tourists mainly...and stay with them, some disappearing and then reappearing as though they had been watching their tourist adoptee from afar.
They weren't always a welcome element, and some packs seemed to be particular bullies who scared some
people, particularly those with small children. At any rate, I've found them to be remarkably bright and intuitive and gracious, loving hosts and even toyed with slipping one on the plane ride home with me. They do seem to get inside people's heads (reading them so well) as well as their hearts.

Dogs were revered in ancient Greece, associated with the healer Asclepius and others. They often
were found in the temples associated with these healing 'gods' and 'goddesses'.

She is remarkable and frightenly bright. Of course, she had to be in order to survive those first few months of life on her own.

I do want to make clear, however, that Puerto Rico (a US territory, btw) does not "honor" its "free roaming" dogs as the Europeans may. Please understand, many of these dogs are not born wild, they are abandoned and abused. People deliberately aim for them with their cars, others use them for target practice in drunken gun parties. Bella was found starving and full of parasites in a tractor trailor lot (she is terrified of the sound of trucks/motorcycles).

A few quotes from the article I mentioned:

"Some dogs had been burned with fire, others with acid. Some were slowly suffocating on too-tight collars and ropes. Many nursed machete wounds. All were starving...

Everyone in Puerto Rico has a machete — in their house, in their car. It’s the weapon of choice. That’s what I spent most of my time stitching, machete chops..."

I look at this little doll sleeping at my feet or waiting so anxiously for me to teach her the next great "trick" and am sick to my stomach thinking of what her life could have been. The Greeks had it right but we have fallen since.

There are many cultures, most of them quite poor, who have a very different relationship (if you could call it that) with dogs and other animals. I don't think I'm capable of stepping into their
shoes to understand that mindset and what seems to me to be unabashed cruetly. Perhaps it's the same
hopelessness and despair that leads others to abuse their children, or blow themselves and others up for their beliefs. I can imagine beauty (bella) is hard to come by.

Thanks for raising awareness of the situation in Puerto Rico.

You are a blessing to Bella, and I'm sure she will be for you as well.

She was taken from the only world she knew, put in a box, flew on a plane,etc, etc,

all of which frightened her too. My latest (failed foster) was turned over to rescue because he had an attitude in the shelter. I've never had a problem with him personally, although I do have to watch him with strangers. I haven't figured out his triggers yet.

I'm glad you were willing to take a chance on her.

I think Bella was young enough when she was rescued that her "wounds" are superficial. She's afraid of loud noises (trucks/motorcycles) and doesn't like things being out of place (that mound of dirt wasn't there before!) but overall she's such a trusting eager little thing. We need to get her socialized more but I think she's got a bright future ahead of her.

Good luck with your little guy. It's nice of you to take him in.

Congrats!

She's smart as a whip and has personality to spare. She's got everyone wrapped around her finger from my husband to the neighbors and the vets!

is of Puerto Rican descent and she's sprucing up my Spanish so Bella can be bilingual! Who could resist!?!? :) Thanks!

I'm so happy for you all!!!
:D

This was one of those times and she does not disappoint. Thanks!

may you have many happy years together.

I'm going for 20 with Bella. Heck, she's 1/3 the size of my old Lab and he lived for 14 years. I figure 20 for Bella is a good goal. ;)