Here's a sad story that Dad just found on the www.Firehouse.com Firefighters site:
Rescue Dog Fights Final Battle
CARLA FIREY
Firehouse.com News
Bella, a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, is fighting her toughest battle yet. She’s worked tirelessly for the LAFD for eight years, devoting her time, energy, and nose to rescuing human beings from perilous
situations. Bella is a rescue dog, and she has been diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma, a potentially devastating form of cancer.
Bella, a purebred Border Collie, is certified in disaster and wilderness rescue. Her trainer, Deresa Teller, has been with the LAFD for twenty-two years. Bella frequently
searches for people lost hiking in the wilderness and cadavers in the hills. One of her biggest jobs came after the Oklahoma City bombing. Bella was one of the few dogs trained in cadaver, wilderness, and disaster
rescue. She and another dog searched the building for the last few remaining survivors before the structure was imploded.
"She can read people’s feelings," said Teller. Two years ago, at a workshop for Oklahoma City victims, a woman began crying as she recounted a story about her daughter who had died during the bombing. "You could hear the emotions in her voice," said Teller.
Bella left her trainer’s side and went to sit by the weeping woman. "The dog has done a lot of comforting during rescues," said Teller. "The children in Oklahoma would hug her and pet her."
Rescue is part of Bella’s blood. Many of her children and grandchildren are certified or training to be rescue dogs themselves. She is also a patient dog, and her favorite hobby is herding chickens and ducks around Teller’s yard. "Sometimes the hens will get on top of her back," said Teller, "and they’ll scratch at her fur. She just sits there patiently."
Bella’s cancer is treatable, and she has already undergone radiation therapy. She still needs to visit the veterinarian on a monthly basis. The LAFD is not permitted to use tax dollars to pay for Bella’s care. "If she was injured in the line of duty," said Teller, "than the city would pay for her medical bills. But in this situation, they
won’t."
Much of the money used for Bella’s care has come from another LAFD dog fund. Money had come in to help a Dalmatian that served as a mascot for one of the fire stations. The leftover funds from the Dalmatian’s treatment were sent to Teller for Bella’s medical bills.
In the same spirit, the LAFD is collecting fund to help assist Bella’s treatment, therapy, and recovery. Any donations are tax deductible, and leftover money will be donated to future Search Dog Training and Care.
Contributions can be sent to:
"Search Dog Fund"
Account # 60130
Los Angeles Firemen’s Credit Union
P.O. Box 60890
Los Angeles, CA 90060
Notes of supportcan be sent to:
Bella the Search Dog
P.O. Box 630375
Simi Valley, CA 93063
[email protected]
Dad sez it'd be nice if a few PetTalkers sent Bella an her Mom Deresa sum Get Better Quick kardz. Thankz!
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/s/ Cinder & Smokey
the Rescued & Adopted
FurKids of *Phred*
[This message has been edited by Cinder & Smoke (edited May 16, 2001).]
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