BELLE (named for racing as No Way Jose)
Sex/colour: Female Black
D.O.B: 16.03.2001
Last recorded ownwer: Ms. E. Goff
Last recorded trainer: not known
Races contended: none found
Stadium: N/A
Last recorded race: N/A
Came to AfG: April 2010
BELLE (named by AfG) came to our attention when we were contacted by a mental health worker, to ask is we could take in a middle aged female Greyhound, as the ‘owner’ had been admitted to an institution and the dog was left alone on a field with just a caravan for shelter.
Of course we were all concerned about the poor hound as the weather was quite cold and we were not sure if any arrangements had been made to feed and care for her.
We had a suitable foster home for her with an elderly Jack Russell so were able to take her straight away.
We arrived at the location in a fairly isolated area in a field.
We were Greeted, not only by the Greyhound but two young male Lurchers.
A nearby neighbor came to speak to us and enlightened us on the situation with the dogs.
They said, these dogs are not well cared for and the ‘owner’ is not able to look after himself either.
They put them in the caravan at night, topped up the bucket of food and bowl of water and let them back out each morning.
We explained we were asked to take the female Greyhound and had no idea there were other dogs here.
We learned the poor Greyhound had produced several litters over the years and the two Lurchers were a result of their Border Collie mating her about 2 years ago.
The Lurchers were ‘entire’ males so could easily have mated their mother.
We were relieved to be able to take this dear Geryhound away so she could have the loving home she deserved but at the same time worried about leaving the two Lurchers behind.
Once taken straight to our vets and treated for fleas and worms, Belle settled into her foster home and after a short period was able to be neutered and receive a dental.
After checking her ear tattoos, we discovered she was 9 years of age.
We were so worried about the safety of the two Lurchers as we felt they may travel off to search for their mother.
The outcome for these two hounds was good, as can be viewed on (FLOYD & STORM: dogs homed other sighthounds).
Photos below show the dilapidated caravan Belle was kept in, believed to be for many years and given birth to several litters (we cannot imagine what happened to all her pups).
Belle continued to improve physically and mentally over the following weeks and enjoyed the company of her canine housemate.
It is a shame she had to wait so long for the life she so deserved but the love and care she received at least made up somewhat.
Belle found her forever home and soon settled, enjoying good food, comfy beds and lots of walks and adventures, living opposite the beach meant she could have lots of freedom to run and enjoy herself.
Bell Floyd and Storm met up some years later whilst being photographed for an AFG calendar, it seemed they remembered each other and seemed pleased for the reunion.
Photos below, show the dilapidated conditions Belle was living in, the day we met her with her sons, then her settling into her foster home, then her forever home.
Photos above show Belle when fit, happy healthy and well cared for.
