When Lori got the call offering her the chance to take in an abused beagle named Ella, she didn’t hesitate for a second. His compassionate heart and dedication to the welfare of animals made him the perfect candidate for a challenging but rewarding job. Ella’s life was marred by years of imprisonment and experimentation, which left her terrified and broken. Lori knows this journey will not be easy, but she is committed to giving Ella the love, care, and patience needed to help her heal and experience a life full of joy and freedom.
Ella spent her entire life locked in a cage, subjected to countless experiments. His life was one of pain and isolation. The Humane Society of the United States played an important role in changing his fate. They rescued 4,000 beagles from a facility in Cumberland, Virginia, a place where these dogs were bred and sold in laboratories, destined for short lives filled with suffering.
“Many people don’t realize that about 60,000 dogs like this are still used in laboratories every year,” the Humane Society said. “We will continue to advocate for alternatives to animal testing to end this outdated practice.”
When Ella was rescued, she had no concept of freedom. He was a trembling, terrified little dog when Lori first brought him home. The journey to recovery will be long and difficult, but Lori is determined to give Ella the love and care she so desperately needs.
In the early days, Ella was too afraid to act. For five days, he didn’t move unless Lori took him outside. Even then, the world outside the cage was too big for him. “I had to carry him back inside because he was gasping for air,” Lori shared, thinking back to those early, difficult days.
Inside the house, Ella chose a corner of the couch as her sanctuary. He sat there for hours, staring into nothingness, his body stiff with fear. It broke Lori’s heart to see Ella in such a state, but she knew that patience and love were the keys to helping her heal.
Gradually, Ella began to show signs of coming out of her shell. He began to explore his surroundings, albeit cautiously. One day, Lori notices Ella poking at the buttons on the back of the couch, trying to get them off. This is a small but significant step towards normal dog behavior.
Ella’s interaction with Lori also began to change. He began to play, even jumping on Lori’s back in moments of excitement. The first time Lori saw Ella wag her tail was a huge milestone. “Those little moments slowly became bigger,” Lori said, her eyes shining with pride.
Despite these improvements, Ella has a long way to go. He had to learn the basic dog habits that most puppies acquire naturally. He didn’t recognize what a ball was, let alone understand that it could bounce and roll. When Lori gives her a huge tennis ball, Ella at first just barks at it, confused and unsure.
With time and gentle encouragement, Ella began to play. The oversized tennis ball that once scared him has become a source of joy. He began chasing after her, his barks turning into playful yips from fear. Ella is slowly but surely becoming a happy and playful puppy.
Glasses are another challenge for Ella. He would see his reflection and start barking, not understanding that the dog in the mirror was his own reflection. These were all new experiences for him, and each came with its own set of challenges and triumphs.
In just four weeks, Ella transformed from a scared dog to a happy and playful goofball. Lori describes the change as “night and day.” “As a foster parent, it’s very rewarding,” Lori said, reflecting on the incredible progress Ella has made.
After four weeks of socializing and learning about life outside the cage, Ella is ready for adoption. Lori prepared herself for the emotional day when she had to say goodbye to the dog she loved so much.
When the day came to hand Ella over to her new family, Lori was filled with mixed emotions. He was sad to see Ella leave but knew it was the best move for him. Lori is confident that Ella will thrive with her new family, which includes another beagle to play with.
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“I am happy for his new life. I’m so happy she found her forever home. For the first time, she gets to experience being part of a loving family,” said Lori, whose tears mixed with joy and sadness as she watched Ella leave with her new family.
Ella’s story is a testament to the resilience of animals and the transformative power of love and compassion. From a life of fear and isolation, Ella has blossomed into a happy and playful dog, ready to embrace her new life with a loving family. And for Lori, the journey of caring for Ella has been a wonderful experience, reaffirming her belief in the importance of giving every animal a chance to live a happy and healthy life.
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