A Team for Bella
Bella, a 6-month-old mixed-breed large dog, came to Dakin in June and quickly made it clear just how overwhelmed she was by shelter life. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and routines left her frustrated and anxious, which showed up as frantic behavior in her kennel and an intense need for constant reassurance from the people around her.
One of Bella’s tendencies was to be mouthy, which means she would use her mouth to gently grab, nip or lick people, clothes or objects without intending harm, but with a dog her size and strength, this was a habit that had to be discouraged.
Beneath that stress, though, the team could see Bella’s good temperament shining through. They knew that with patience, structure, and plenty of positive attention, she had all the potential to grow into a wonderful family companion. To give her the best possible chance, staff and volunteers came together to create thoughtful schedules that allowed Bella extra one-on-one time, and gentle guidance toward calmer behaviors. If one volunteer spent an hour or two with Bella, other volunteers on that same shift would pick up the slack and tend to all the other dogs so they wouldn’t miss out on their time.
When volunteers interacted with Bella, they knew that she clearly needed additional adventures to be able to return to her kennel in a relaxed state. Rachel took her on walks along the Connecticut River. Kasia drove her to Forest Park for a lengthy exploratory, “sniffy” walk, and took the time to make careful notes about what Bella liked, and didn’t like, including “She enjoys sniffing and bird watching outside,” “Likes drinking from the kiddie pool in Dakin’s courtyard, but not sure about dipping her toes in,” “Had fun playing fetch in the courtyard,” and “Didn’t like her medicine in a pill pocket or hot dog, but did love it with some spray cheese.” Careful notations like this helped every other person who spent time with Bella know how to give her a fun experience. These two volunteers were part of a large network of compassionate people who wanted to help Bella find brighter days ahead.
Once back inside her kennel, there would be a treat, like a Kong or a Box of Fun, which is a cardboard box usually stuffed with crumpled-up newspaper, toys, and kibble or treats, then folded shut. Dogs have to try to figure out how to get inside to get to the food and fun! It’s helpful because it replicates natural scavenging behavior (dogs are scavengers) and replicating natural behaviors helps relieve stress.
In July, Bella was adopted, and it was incredibly rewarding to watch her step into the beginning of a beautiful new life. Supporting this special dog through the stress and anxiety of shelter life—right in the middle of summer, our busiest season—was no small task, but it was one our community rose to with compassion and dedication. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of both volunteers and staff, Bella received the patience, care, and reassurance she needed to thrive. Even when resources were stretched thin, Dakin’s team found a way to show up for Bella and for every other animal in their care. Together, they helped this vulnerable young dog leave fear behind and move toward a wonderful new life filled with love.