Meet baby Belle

These are some scary pictures. This little girl has only experienced about 12 weeks of life and this is what it's brought her. A passer-by found her sitting in the middle of a country road. In his words, "almost as if she was saying 'go ahead, run me over, please.'"  He pulled over, opened the car door and she gratefully crept toward him. A typical dog - trusting humans to make things better. So how could we not try and give her a brighter future?

She's been named Belle - our own little version of Beauty and the Beast. This tiny girl of only 7 lbs. must be tough to have held out in the recent cold weather without a regular food source. She's severely underweight and malnourished

We took her to Monroe Veterinary Clinic for a check-up, not knowing what problems might be uncovered other than the obvious case of mange.

Belle has the most serious case of demodex mange Dr. Jo Wellman has seen. Inflammation from a secondary skin infection has her skin bright pink and her lymph nodes extremely swollen. She's loaded with worms, covered with painful, crusty scabs and very dehydrated. 

But the good news is she's alert, wags her tail and gives kisses. Belle still sports wisps of brown and white hair so there's a beautiful coat waiting to come out. We think a better life is just around the corner for this cutie.

Dr. Wellman sent us home with antibiotics, treatment for mange, prescription diet food, medicated shampoo, conditioner and other goodies.Belle is tucked in a comfy bed with soft blankets, has a bellyful of warm food and is sleeping. Tomorrow is a new day and a new start!

A big thank you to Jennifer and her husband for stopping and saving this baby and Stefanie for bringing her to our attention. Belle will be fostered by Melanie, who does an awesome job of nursing our foster dogs back to health.

Get ready for the awesome "After" photos soon to come! Watch our Facebook page for daily updates on her progress. www.facebook.com/wagwalton

Want to contribute toward Belle's care? Donations can be made below or mailed to WAG, PO Box 169, Monroe, GA  30655.