When the team from Ruff Start Rescue (RSR) arrived at a northern Minnesota shelter, they had one goal—rescue as many cats as possible. But as they walked through the kennels, their plans took an unexpected turn.
“Saving cats was the mission … until we met Belah,” said Azure Davis from RSR.
The shelter was full of energetic, barking dogs, but one pup stood out. Unlike the others, Belah sat quietly in her kennel, watching the rescuers with hopeful eyes. As the team walked by, she slowly reached her paw through the bars, as if asking for help.
The moment melted their hearts.
They hadn’t planned to take in a dog that day, but Belah changed everything. While they loaded crates of cats into their truck, they put out an urgent call for a foster home for Belah. To their relief, within minutes, someone stepped up to take her in.
As they got Belah ready for transport, the team noticed something unusual—she had a limp in her front left leg, the same one she had used to reach through the kennel.
At the vet, they discovered Belah had a severe limb deformity in her left front leg and an issue with her right leg that caused weakness. While these conditions made it harder for her to walk, she wasn’t in pain. To her, this was just normal life.
Determined to help her stay strong and avoid future problems, the team created a special treatment plan. Through physical therapy and a custom brace for support, Belah slowly started improving—and she’s been thriving ever since.
“Despite her challenges, Belah is an absolute joy!” Davis shared. “She’s sweet, playful, and always ready to cuddle.”
Now, at just 3 months old, Belah has already mastered crate training, potty training, and her therapy exercises. Her foster family is making sure she gets the care she needs while letting her enjoy puppy life. She wears a soft splint during playtime and takes careful, supervised walks to avoid strain.
While Belah is happy in her foster home, she’s still waiting for a forever family.
“She needs a foster-to-adopt home that will continue to support her recovery,” Davis said. “She’s looking for someone who will give her the love, patience, and care she deserves.”
One thing is certain—whoever adopts Belah will be gaining a truly special pup.
Dedicated and experienced pet-related content writer with a passion for animals and a proven track record of creating engaging and informative content. Skilled in researching, writing, and editing articles that educate and inspire pet owners. Strong knowledge of animal behavior, health, and care, combined with a commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences. Seeking to leverage writing skills and passion for pets to contribute to a dynamic and mission-driven team.