Bella's adopter Jacquie wrote: It is now hard to believe that this sweet face came from one of the harshest areas of Tijuana.

The first month she was so worried we would leave her outside when she went out to the “bathroom” she would cower at the door and be the most pitiful thing you ever saw! Eventually she realized we were not going to leave her out there and now she runs out without a worry.

Bela’s favorite things are eating and sleeping in the big bed with us at night. She is so very grateful; you can just see how happy she is. We swear she smiles when she sleeps, (under the covers like all Chihuahuas tend to). She gets so happy she does a little “happy dance” when it is dinner time and bedtime.

Bela is super affectionate, loves being held, is a lap and love dog. When you hold her she tucks her head under your chin and snuggles. She is very hesitant toward strangers. She is still afraid of them so we are working on her trust with strangers. It takes her about a couple of hours with a new person to warm up to them.

Jacquie Bazinet-Tolson, Bela's adopter who originally was only going to foster her, wrote about Bela's first day home and about adopting a rescue dog from a life of hunger, pain and misery "They will bond to you as they see that you are their saviors!"

Bela's first day in our home

When my husband got home he took her out of her kennel and called me to say was playing with him and Severina, our toy Chihuahua, and that she loves being scratched. It took about 1 day for Chai to really come around and trust. We decided to adopt her! As I tried to think of a special name for her, my husband started calling her Bela and it stuck. I am very glad we adopted her instead of buying a puppy. She deserves a good life and she continues to be happy and healthy part of our family!

Rescue dogs need loving, supportive, healthy homes; they will bond to you as they see that you are their saviors! These dogs need warmth, love and affection. Expect to pay a few initial visits to your local vet, as I did with Bela. Good nutrition is paramount, don’t skimp on cheap food unless it cannot be helped. It doesn’t cost much more for good food from a pet store than the food at the grocery store, which is poor quality, (in my opinion). The better quality food that goes in makes for less cleanup in your yard as well! Also I should note that after 2 + months of good nutrition (I feed only top quality food) and vitamins (Missing Link), her bald spots have filled in, the fur on her ears have completely grown in, and her coat is shiny and soft.

Dental exam and cleaning is next for Bela, who has significant gum receding and probably bone loss due to her malnutrition early in life. It is now so hard to think of her as a “street dog” now that she has adapted so easily, quickly and readily to “pet life”.

Jacquie Bazinet-Tolson