Meet Belle! This pup has been through so much and needs an owner who can help her work through some of her trauma. 



Belle was rescued in August 2024 from cruel, neglectful owners who kept her chained to the bumper of a car, exposed to the elements with no protection from predators. Unspayed and without proper care, she survived on inconsistent meals and little to no fresh water or veterinary attention. She was severely underweight, had given birth to multiple litters, and had spent her life outside with no room to move—one of her puppies was chained right next to her.



A local animal advocate learned of Belle’s situation and worked to secure her release along with her puppy. But before we could bring her to safety, her owner made an unfortunate decision—unchaining her and letting her roam freely. Desperate for food, Belle was hit by a car when foraging for food, arriving at the rescue with a fractured hip, a broken tail, and a heartworm-positive diagnosis



Despite everything she has been through, Belle’s spirit remains strong. She was placed in a foster home where she spent 3.5 months recovering with a loving family—a mom, dad, and two other dogs—experiencing what it meant to be safe and cared for.



Belle has a medium energy level—she loves going on walks and spins in excitement when she sees her leash, but she also enjoys lounging on the couch. She’s the perfect balance of independent and affectionate, following her foster mom around while also being content to relax nearby.



We think Belle would do well as an only dog and needs a savvy handler. She came to her original foster home injured and had a lot of time to slowly get familiar and integrate into her pack gradually. She shares toys and treats politely, even waiting patiently during the nightly whipped cream treat tradition, but can be protective of her space - crate, bed, cherished sleep spots. Meals are given separately, which is always a smart practice with a new dog.



Belle is housetrained, crate-trained, and well-mannered when left alone. As she’s grown more comfortable, her playful side has emerged! Past injuries don’t slow her down, and she has learned to love head scratches and belly rubs.



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Belle made the trip to the DC metro area on 2/15 and is being fostered locally with our favorite go-to trainer, Alexa.



Alexa has been working to address some of Belle's guarding behaviors that emerge as she gets more comfortable in her space. She would likely do best as an only dog and needs a more savvy handler to manage and work through her behaviors. She's not a shy or fearful dog; she's very confident in her space and needs a leader to direct her. She is not a good fit for a home with kids. 


 


Apply today!



BREED ESTIMATE: Shepherd Mix
GENDER: Female
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:  54 lbs 
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 3 years old
COAT TYPE: Medium coat
ADOPTION FEE: $425
OTHER INFO: utd on shots/spayed/microchipped/treated for heartworm
LOCATION: Warrenton, VA


 


FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.



You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.



Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.