Dog Rehoming Story: Linda and Bella

Oct 7, 2024 | Rehoming Story

 

Linda (71) adopted Bella (10) with help toward the cost of the rehoming fee from Give a Dog a Bone.

My son has grown up and moved out of home.

I lost my wee cat in March 2023 and I was really missing her. I had to take her to be put to sleep and I mentioned to the vet that she would probably be my last pet.

He said “you know, there’s lots of wee animals out there who would be grateful for a home like yours…”. It played on my mind.

I had passed by Give a Dog a Bone in Shawlands a few times and decided to pop in for a cuppa and meet some of the dogs. I had such a lovely time, it really encouraged me to get a dog of my own.

 

I knew that, if I did, I would have somewhere to go and make new friends.

Woman and a small brown and white dog standing on a path in a park.
Bella was the second dog I looked at. She was cowering and scared. Before then, I had been dithering and still a bit worried about whether I could manage a dog – but she just looked so miserable and alone, that I changed my mind.

GADAB helped me with the rehoming fee and I took Bella home… but she was still really very timid.

I made her a safe hiding place and she stayed in there for a solid 36 hours.  Didn’t come out for a pee or anything. I fed her gently under the blanket to build up trust and slept in the chair next to her for 2 nights. Within the space of a week, it was just magical.

We started to attend the GADAB weekly dog walks and Bella began to come out of her shell. She made new friends – canine and human – and would jump up on people’s knees as soon as we walked through the doors.

I love the way she brings joy to people.

I honesty believe she wouldn’t have built up as much confidence without GADAB and I will never forget that. Thank you.

Having a GADAB in my community means I can take Bella around the park and drop into GADAB for a cup of tea – we have a brilliant time and there’s often a sing song on the go. There’s always something interesting to talk about.

Everybody is so friendly and I’ve made really good friends with another lady who visits.

We have gone on day trips to the other GADAB community spaces in Troon and Alloa – I honestly don’t think I would have travelled that far without knowing a GADAB is there as a base. I know I will get a friendly welcome. It’s so encouraging just to know we can spend a day out visiting another community space – so nice to get out of Glasgow and go a wee day trip.

Bella has come on leaps and bounds and I, too, am much more confident.  I’m getting more exercise and have lost almost 2.5 stones since I’ve adopted Bella. I had had 2 hip operations when I adopted Bella and used a walking stick – now I’ve thrown away, as I’m so much fitter. I need to go out walking because I have Bella and I feel so much better for it.
The work you do at GADAB is so important – even just to see how people can come in for some cat and dog food, if they are struggling – just the simple stuff like that, is so important. You are there for people and they know it.

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