So what would you do if you received this?

It’s not necessary to say what I did. The next day she was in my arms, and soon after lying on the exam table at the veterinary hospital, wrapped up in her warm towel.

Bonnibelle was trembling, bleeding, whining, inflamed, swollen, cold, hot, and scared to death. On a better note, she was the life of the party while at the vet, receiving all kinds of affection and attention while we were there.  While feeling miserable and afraid, that attention she did love, indeed. 🙂

Bonnibelle was a 14.4lb, tiny, little stray that ended up at the pound. At this point we’re not sure what breed she is…beagle? Dachshund? It’s something in that hound realm, I’m pretty certain, but we’ll have to be patient and find out for sure when she heals. She has demodectic mange, a secondary infection, and yeast. Her skin is red and purple, dry, crusty, and also covered in open, bleeding wounds. There is infection, lumps, bumps, and the dead skin is falling off; her nails are far too long and she has goop sliding out of her eyes.

Yet she snuggles. She rubs her head on you and gets as close as she can, head tucked into your arms and holding on. She wants to be with you, in your lap, and she looks at you with pleading eyes, undoubtedly praying that the fear and pain is coming to an end. I let her know that it was, in fact, going to absolutely improve, and she would feel good not only physically, but emotionally, as well.

So she now rests in a crate in my bedroom, yelling at me when she’s not pleased. 😉 She is on antibiotics, ivermectin for her mange, and pain meds, and we’ll give her a bath in a few days with a medicated shampoo. She curls up with her little white teddy bear, deep into her blankie, and she tries to get comfortable. However, I don’t think she’ll ever be satisfied until she’s able to lie in my lap. 🙂

Bonnibelle is thankfully eating and drinking very well, and she does have some vibrance! She runs after me as fast as her itty bitty legs will carry her, and she’ll even knock down a baby gate to get to me (albeit, it’s not a sturdy one, but still!). She is irresistible!

So please keep Miss Bonnibelle in your prayers, as she has a long road and months ahead of her. We’ll get her through it, though, and she’ll come out a beautiful and smiling little girl (with adorable ears!).  After that, we’ll find her a home that will spoil her beyond spoiling, and she’ll have a life she never knew existed, for she is deserving.

Once I get her write up on the website, we’ll make sure to post photos of her progression.  In the meantime, here are some photos I took at the veterinary hospital and at home (click on each photo to enlarge it, then click on it a 2nd time for an even bigger picture). How can you not love this helpless little thing? 🙂