A tiny sausage dog without "any time to spare" has one last dying wish - to find a family that will give her the love and affection she deserves.
Bella the five-year-old dachshund came to Many Tears Animal Rescue in Wales on her death bed and staff "immediately knew she needed some special care".
Her tummy was swollen, her skinny bones were prominent and a specialist vet revealed she had fluid in her abdomen and a heart murmur.
Despite the rescue team doing everything they can, Bella is likely to be in congestive heart failure and doesn't have long left to live.
But it hasn't stopped her longing for a final place to call home, before her tail stops wagging for the very last time.
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Many Tears Animal Rescue has launched an appeal to help find Bella and her friends, Kammy and Fritz, a family of their own, Wales Online reports.
A spokesperson for the centre said: "Time that this girl needs to really feel loved and precious just as she deserves to.
"Time to feel grass under her feet, smell the flowers and feel the gentle breeze and sunshine on her face. Time to taste some delicious treats.
"Time to try doing something cheeky for the first time ever. Time to feel safe. Then when her own time comes, she will need someone by her side, holding her paw and being there for her.
"Someone who needs to be special enough to understand that their heart may be broken far too soon but who will love her and want the best for her despite this."
The charity had hoped to rehome Bella with her best friend Coco, but then Coco found loving new owners separately.
Bella has since built a strong bond with Kammy, a Bischon Frise who suffers with Cushings Disease, which also affects her life expectancy, and Fritz.
Temporary foster carer Reenie Ager said: "All three of the dogs I look after currently come from puppy farms and so did Coco before she became adopted, Coco now has a family who have paid to improve her life and make her life more comfortable.
"Covid has really highlighted the issues in puppy breeding in Wales, the charity has had over 200 dogs dumped on them and there really needs to be more support, whether it's legally or financially.
"The shame is that it has almost become 'fashionable' to spend an extortionate amount of money on dogs when you have charities desperate to re-home loving dogs to families."
Many Tears Animal Rescue in Cefneithin, Llanelli, rehomes primarily ex-breeding dogs and even those found on 'death row' in pounds and from owners who can no longer keep them.
You can find more information about Bella, Kammy and Fritz by clicking on their names or enquire at Many Tears Animal Rescue.
You can also email info@manytearsrescue.org or call 01269 843 084 between 10am and 4pm only.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
