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Portabella’s Story

Portabella arrived in SNAFU’s care when she was found wandering the streets and very underweight. She was picked up by Animal Control and subsequently released to SNAFU Rescue. 

oPortabella is a relaxed, calm, lazy little Frenchie girl who loves just hanging out and being at the feet of her people. She is a true velcro frenchie that wants to be able to see you, hear you, and be near you as she finds comfort in being surrounded by her people. Bella (as she is affectionately called) likes to be in the middle of all the happenings in her foster home as long as her people are involved! Major case of FOMO. Bella is a super adorable sassy senior!  Although Bella doesn’t prefer the company of other dogs, she does LOVE her humans and wants to be near them at all times, whether that’s riding shotgun in the car, watching a movie with her humans, or sleeping in their bed. Have we mentioned how much Bella loves car rides? Bella does have bursts of energy here and there and will engage her foster mom in a game of chase, but for the most part, Bella is content to relax and take naps throughout the day. Bella also loves chin scratches and would love an endless supply of them. She does sleep in her human’s bed and is perfectly content sleeping quietly throughout the night at the foot of the bed.

Don’t tell Bella, but her gait sometimes gives her age away. Although she walks a little wonky, she has had several rounds of acupuncture to see if we could improve her back leg strength.  X-rays have not revealed any discernible issue with her spine. For whatever reason, her brain is not quite sending the correct message to the nerves in her back legs.  She does not experience any pain but she is semi-incontinent and wears a fashionable, washable diaper. She will urinate when taken outside but she doesn’t seem to be aware when she has to defecate. This hasn’t been a problem for her foster family as she cleans up easily and carries on with her day. She is most certainly one for snuggling as she much prefers to spend her nap time at your feet, behind your feet, in front of your feet, or her stroller. Portabella has some interest in toys when feeling spunky and grabs some enjoyment by nibbling on a yummy soft benebone.  After a chew session, you can find Bella searching for a comfy place for nap time.

Portabella is experiencing a big change and needs a patient and understanding family that will gently guide her as to what is expected of her in her adoptive home. She has been through a lot in her life and deserves some extra patience and understanding as she acclimates yet to another home.  Bella has been introduced to small children and she immediately fell head-over-paws for them! Due to Bella’s sweet, kind, and gentle disposition, we feel she would do best with respectful, dog-savvy children of any age. She should be supervised when she is around children to make sure both she and they are kept safe. As with all of our dogs, slow introductions to other dogs in the household are a must. Due to her sassy senior ways, Bella does NOT get along with other dogs and must be an only pet (this is not optional).

As mentioned, she can potty outside but is uncertain when she has to defecate therefore she wears a diaper.  Bella can suffer from separation anxiety and will bark for the first 5-10 minutes when crated. She does however settle down.  Bella is currently given a free run of the home and this has worked out well for her as she has not gotten into any trouble. 

Medically, Portabella seems to be in okay health. She has been spayed, had a dental with extractions, her nares widened, her palate shortened, updated on vaccinations/dewormings, heartworm tested, microchipped, and has been given the okay to adopt by our veterinarian. Bella suffers from those pesky Frenchie allergies and responds well to daily allergy meds.  Like many Frenchies, Bella also has some food allergies, specifically turkey, and has adjusted well to a food change and has gained the appropriate amount of weight and is doing well.  She recently developed cataracts and has lost about 20% of her vision. She requires an eye lube (OTC) to be applied in addition to a daily steroid drop to decrease inflammation. 

Portabella would do best in any type of home that allows her to be the center of attention. A single-family home or a multi-level apartment would be just fine if there is an adjacent fenced-in area (to avoid any interaction with other animals). Bella does okay with a small number of stairs, so a home with a few would be okay for her.  She would be very happy and do her best by spending her retirement years with a quiet family that spends time at home as she really craves to be around her people at all times. Given her calm and sweet nature, we also think she’d love to go work with her new family if they wanted to take her with them to their quiet pet-free office. If her people are not able to take her to work with them, no problem at all – she would much rather have a work-from-home or stay-at-home family member to watch all day long. Portabella had a bit of a rough start to life and deserves to be spoiled with unconditional love and patience! She is such a sweetheart who needs help learning the ways of pet life. She will forever be a loyal companion.

So, if you’re a homebody, who prefers a nice night in with a pup by your side, Bella might be your perfect match! Bella’s ideal home is with a person or people who adore her and shower her with the gift of their company and time for the rest of her life. Her biggest and one of her only pleasures in life is to be with her person/people.  Her ideal home is where she has lots of time with her person/people and confidence and trust that she will be cherished and loved for the rest of her life. She gives lovely kisses and hops around and plays with you in spurts. She loves to grab a toy and have you chase her. But most importantly, she just wants to be with her people.

Portabella is ready for the happily-ever-after she deserves!   Please fill out an application to adopt and tell us why you and Bella would be the perfect match.