Bella - Michelle Lockwood's sweet Chessie

I am raising funds for my friend Michelle Lockwood's sweet Chesapeake Bay Retriever Bella's medical expenses at Cornell University Veterinary Hospital.

Her story: Bella

Bella is a three-year-old Chesapeake Bay retriever who has been my loyal and constant companion since she was eight weeks old. The first day I brought her home, she woke me in the middle of the night, howling, like a wolf. I got up with her, and soon realized I was very sick. After taking Bella outside for a quick break, I let her to the bathroom with me as I was feeling dizzy and nauseous. My symptoms quickly became worse, so I picked up the phone to try and dial a friend. That was the last thing I remember before going unconscious on the floor. Apparently, when my friend answered the phone thinking it was an accidental dial, she heard Bella howling and the sound of strange breathing. Bella had known I was in trouble. I think she sensed it even when I was sleeping. Later on in the hospital, I realized I had tiny, bruises and bite marks all up and down my legs. My new puppy, at only eight weeks old, had tried her best to rescue and wake me. I had already named her Arabella… ‘answered prayer’… and that she was. Since that day, Bella has been by my side through my chronic Lyme recovery, and on some of my darkest days. She will not let me go to the bathroom alone, ever, not until she became quickly and drastically ill this past week. Wednesday evening she greeted me after work as any three-year-old young dog might do, with wiggles, jumps, and licks… ready to run and play ball as we do most nights. The next day, Thursday, I noticed she was panting inside the house. It was a hot and humid day, but cool inside with the air conditioning. I thought it must be the humidity. The next morning, Friday, she didn’t want her breakfast. For an enthusiastic eater, this was very strange. I tried to take her for a walk and she lagged behind with no energy, so I turned around and came home. She then laid on my bed all day, and again at supper time, showed no interest in food. I called the vet early Saturday and got her right in. She was diagnosed with Anaplasmosis and Immune-mediated Hemolytic Anemia… a condition that caused the immune system to attack its own red blood cells. Her count was down to 18, normal is 40 to 55. Her gums were pale, her body was weak. My puppy had aged 10 years in three days. Bella was sent home with doxycycline and prednisone, along with a follow up appointment for Tuesday. By Sunday evening I knew she was getting worse so first thing Monday morning I called Cornell University Animal Hospital (Dogs & Cats) got her an appointment in their ER. A few hours later, we arrived, and they instantly examined and admitted her, determining she needed an immediate blood transfusion. They quoted me $4500-$6500 for her care, with the possibility of more, on top of the $750 I had paid to the vet on Saturday. I told them to go ahead and start the transfusion. So here I am, three days later, trying to wrap my head around the idea of asking for help… something I’m not good at in any situation. I’m a very independent person, I have a good job, and I know that my pets are my responsibility, but there are times when I have to admit, I could use support and this is one of them. I have been fortunate to receive so many thoughts, good wishes, and prayers for Bella over the past few days, and those have kept me going. So, please, there is no pressure. I am forever grateful and happy to receive every one of those thoughts and prayers. But if her story and condition speak to you, and you feel you’d like to help in her recovery, anything would be greatly appreciated. I’ve been told by the vets at Cornell that Bella’s condition is ongoing and life-changing. It is a lot for me to digest, and hard to believe my happy, healthy young girl has had some thing like this hit her out of nowhere. She is my baby, my protector, my answer prayer. My Arabella.

With all my heart, thank you.

Michelle & Bella