FKSPCA:  RESCUE TAILS / “BELLA – FROM BEACH DOG TO FARM DOG”

BY TAMMY FOX-ROYER
Executive Director Florida Keys SPCA

When Matt came to our Marathon Campus in 2015, he wanted to meet a dog named “Bella.” At the exact moment he was visiting with her, another interested family arrived to meet the same adorable Boxer mix. Although a bit awkward at the time, the staff at the Florida Keys SPCA often has to make a choice between several potential adopters for the same animal.

The FKSPCA does not adopt out animals on a “first come, first serve” basis, but rather strives to make the best possible match between each individual animal and the families that submit adoption applications. In this case, Matt was looking for a companion, a friend — someone to keep a single guy company in the Florida Keys. We thought that Bella would need the same thing.

Bella and Matt were instant best buddies. Bella came to work everyday with Matt at the golf course and happily greeted customers in the pro shop. Together, they started walking a lot every day, helping Matt lose weight and get the exercise that they both needed. Bella and Matt were clearly made for each other!

Then came Hurricane Irma. Matt and Bella evacuated together all the way to Texas and waited anxiously for news from home. Sadly, Matt’s rental home in Marathon was destroyed along with the golf course he was employed at. With no job and no house to return to, he made the tough decision to remain with family in Texas.

What would Bella think of her new life as a farm dog? She loves it! Bella enjoys checking in on the other animals at the farm, and has become great friends with the local dairy cow. Bella will always be a “Keys Dog” but in the meantime, she sure doesn’t mind being Matt’s companion on the farm. 

If you would like to help us create more happy endings for dogs like Bella, please contact me at [email protected] and visit us at www.FKSPCA.org,

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