Texas: "On Friday, February 10th, Bella, a 6 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever, was brutally attacked by another dog while walking in her neighborhood with her family"

TEXAS -- On Friday, February 10th, Bella, a 6 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever, was brutally attacked by another dog while walking in her neighborhood with her family (Madelaine and Jim Morris and their 2 year old grandchild).

Bella tried to escape, but was violently bitten many times on the neck, shoulder and rear.  

Although they don't say what kind of dog did this, there's a very short list of the kinds of dogs that would be powerful enough to inflict this kind of damage to a dog as large as Bella. I believe it was a pit bull and will believe that until told otherwise by the owners.

 

Bella was admitted to Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital (Houston) in critical condition.  She has been hospitalized since  and is being kept in a wound vacuum. She has undergone one surgery so far to remove dead tissue and drain abscesses.   Several additional surgeries will be needed before she can recover.  Hospital bills have already exceeded $21,000, and are expected to top $30,000.

Update 1
Bella update: 2nd surgery today. Good report from surgeon Praise God! Tissue looks much healthier than Monday. Surgeon is beginning to stretch edges of wound together & was able to get it about 20% closed today. Surgeon is happy with progress on skin & systemically, & hopes to move Bella out of ICU to surgery side in a couple of days

Update 2
Bella update: Chipper today following 4th surgery. The skin has a wonderful way of healing itself.- all creatures great & small, The Lord God made them all. The surgeon is very pleased, as is critical care dr. We continue meeting fellow believers in Christ on this journey. Our pup Bella is such a strong trooper. She prefers the food over tube, but is patient to keep in the tube just in case! Thank you prayer warriors & Go Fund It supporters. We are so so grateful!

Update 3
Bella update: Chipper today following 4th surgery. The skin has a wonderful way of healing itself.- all creatures great & small, The Lord God made them all. The surgeon is very pleased, as is critical care dr. We continue meeting fellow believers in Christ on this journey. Our pup Bella is such a strong trooper. She prefers the food over tube, but is patient to keep in the tube just in case! Thank you prayer warriors & Go Fund It supporters. We are so so grateful!

Bella update: all smiles after 5th surgery. 2 days straight with only good news. The wound is being closed little by little, & she is staying strong, & we are so grateful. Hopeful to have different scenery for photos in a few days. Grateful for skilled Drs & kind staff. Thanks all FB friends sharing the journey & praying.

Update 4
Bella update: Chipper today following 4th surgery. The skin has a wonderful way of healing itself.- all creatures great & small, The Lord God made them all. The surgeon is very pleased, as is critical care dr. We continue meeting fellow believers in Christ on this journey. Our pup Bella is such a strong trooper. She prefers the food over tube, but is patient to keep in the tube just in case! Thank you prayer warriors & Go Fund It supporters. We are so so grateful!

Bella update: all smiles after 5th surgery. 2 days straight with only good news. The wound is being closed little by little, & she is staying strong, & we are so grateful. Hopeful to have different scenery for photos in a few days. Grateful for skilled Drs & kind staff. Thanks all FB friends sharing the journey & praying.
Surgery # 6 went great today. Her massive wound is almost completely closed, & she's progressing nicely.

Praise the Lord for creating faithful beasts who bring us much happiness. The Lord made our Bella both strong & tender, a great retriever & faithful friend. We will post a photo tomorrow after our visit down there.

We are so grateful for the amazing care at Gulf Coast. We are so grateful for all of you reading this, your many prayers, & we hope for continued prayers for a complete healing.

Don't you just love a miracle!

Update 5
Bella is improving daily with home care & frequent trips to the Veterinary hospital for bandage changes & stitching. Momma dog, Caddy, is helping with tender care, & Jim is an absolutely awesome home vet tech! Several weeks of care still ahead for our girl, Bella. We cannot begin to thank all of our friends, & friends of friends, for your outpouring of love to our family.

 

Update 6
FYI Bella update~ Open wound therapy for 2 weeks with hydro therapy to see how much epithelialization can form. Then will have additional surgery. Bella is sooo happy to be recovering at home, & has even walked round the block.

GoFundMe link: Bella's Recovery Expenses
Created February 22, 2017
Melinda Nelson
on behalf of Jim Morris
  Animals
  HOUSTON, TX