My Sweet Senior Love Babybell
It feels like fate that I met Babybell. I wasn’t supposed to be fostering her, but within a minute of arriving at BARCS to pick up my first ever foster dog, he had gotten adopted. The team let me know that another dog had just come in that day, and would I be interested in fostering her? Babybell was 16 years old, blind and hard of hearing, so she wouldn’t do well in the new, strange and overwhelming shelter. When I met her, my heart melted. I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
It took Babybell a few days to get used to my home. She very quickly learned to trust me to not let her walk into things. I would place her front paw on a step to let her know it was there or put a hand under her chest to steady her when she needed to step down. We were a perfect pair.
In the weeks she’s lived with me, I watched Babybell slowly, cautiously reveal her true personality. It's clear that she was loved by someone who did a wonderful job taking care of her. She had learned to follow the sound of your hand slapping against your leg and she developed a preference for human food. She even has a silly, persuasive way of convincing you she just needs a little nibble of what you’re eating!
Babybell walks nicely on a leash, with speed and confidence, and loves the attention of children and adults. Watching her play with a gentle dog friend is funny and touching. She play bows, barks and jumps around, although normally into “space” as her sight and age have slowed her down.
It’s been inspiring to see how she’s moving forward despite her disabilities at this stage of her life. She’s willing to trust strangers with her care and wellbeing. She’s always happy and loving and seems optimistic for the future. She doesn’t look back—only forward, trusting each day to be as good or better than the one before. What a wonderful way to live your life!
Her vulnerability and her quiet, patient and sometimes stubborn ways have won me over. After fostering her for several weeks, I’m so thrilled to formally welcome her into my home!
Sincerely,
Bambi and Babybell
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