BELLABLUE (named for racing as Blue Belle Jo)
Sex/colour: Female Blue
D.O.B: July 1998
Last recorded owner: Mr. Armine Appleton
Last recorded trainer: Mr.Carl Appleton
Races contended: 29
Stadium: Yarmouth (also Henlow)
Last recorded race: 21.04.2003
Came to AfG: mid 2007
BELLABLUE (named by AfG)
Bellablue came into the care of AfG with a female Lurcher, oddly also
with the name Bella! though neither seemed to recognise any name (see:
BELLA other Sighthounds homed).
We were contacted by concerned members of the public about 2 Greyhounds
living in the back garden of a ground floor council flat left unattended
for most of the time and never seen to be walked.
Being housed in a dilapidated shed with a garden consisting of just mud.
We visited the ‘owner’ sadly a vulnerable, elderly alcoholic.
The flat and ‘garden’! were certainly not suitable for any animal to be
kept.
The man frequented the local pub where we expect after a few drinks, he
was taken advantage of.
He could barely remember how long he had the 2 hounds and did not seem
to know who the men were who basically ‘offloaded’ the two hounds onto him.
We traced Bellablues background so were quite aware who got rid of her
very easily, then later found out the other man bred Lurchers.
Firstly, Bellablue was passed over to him at the pub, then after a few
days, the 2nd man convinced the man, his ‘unwanted’ Lurcher would be an
ideal ‘companion’ for his Greyhound so she would not be lonely.
Neither of these vile men had any concern whatsoever for the future
welfare and safety of their unwanted hounds and were obviously happy to
give them away to who ever would take them.
We were very saddened by the conditions the dear hounds were kept in and
although it seemed they were well fed,(too well fed with lack of
exercise) it was obvious by the massive holes they had dug in the
garden, they were completely bored with no stimulation.
The elderly man was pleased to be able to sign both hounds over to AFG.
We asked him to contact us, if he were ever to be used by anyone in
future to try to offload any more dogs onto him.
He assured us he would not get any more dogs as he admitted he was not
even able to look after himself properly.
His neighbors did keep an eye on the situation and did keep in touch
with AfG, we were happy to hear that no more dogs (or in fact any other
animals) were kept at the property in the future.
Luckily AfG had 2 suitable foster homes for ‘The Bellas’ ( made easier
with vets visits etc, Bellablue was named Stella at that time, named
Bellablue again, once adopted).
Bellablue was such a friendly affectionate hound, she loved all people,
adults and children and was sociable with all other dog breeds.
She was able to happily settle into her foster home to continue with all
necessary vet treatment including neutering.
We had several rescued hounds in foster homes at the time and Bellablue
was featured in a newspaper article with 2 others needing forever homes.
As a result, soon after Bellablue (along with Greyhound Fluke and
Lurcher Bella) all found their loving forever homes.
Bellablue settled in with a lovely retired couple who had recently lost
their rescued dog.
She had the freedom of a big garden and lots of lovely walks.
Bellablues adopters carried on with the strict diet she had been on in
her foster home as when she came to AFG at age 9, previously overfed
with a lack of excercise, she was very overweight.
Finally Bellablue was able to settle into the wonderful home she so
deserved and had waited so long for.
Once AfG were able to trace Bellablues racing history, we were not
surprised to find the father and son Greyhound breeders/owners/trainers
Armine and Carl Appleton from Near Yarmouth, names known to be
offloading their unwanted Greyhounds to whoever would take them, were
the pair responsible for offloading Bellablue to the vulnerable man.
Bellablue was last raced at Yarmouth 21.04.2003 but in between races at
Yarmouth and Henlow, on August 5th 2002 produced a litter of 6 Greyhound
puppies (by cesarean section, one sadly born deceased four registered to
race, the 5th pup sadly unknown of).
It is unbearable to think of the existence Bellablue had endured for so
long, we cannot change her past but were grateful we were made aware of
her and were able to finally get her a life of love and respect.
Photos below, show the state Bellablue(and Bella) were rescued from and
later together after being fostered.
Photos above, show Bella featured on AfGs 2010 calendar, photoed by
Greyhound Watch and in her senior years relaxing in her forever home.
