One seemingly typical day took an unexpected turn for Heather Tolaro when she got a call from a friend in Illinois. The friend had found a stray dog near her home with a rope tightly bound around its neck.
Unable to care for the dog due to allergies, she reached out to Heather for help with temporary shelter.
Concerned about the situation, Heather and her daughter went to see the dog. Despite her rough condition, the pup showed a cheerful and trusting demeanor, immediately capturing their hearts. Heather felt a strong urge to assist the dog.
The rope around the dog’s neck suggested she once had an owner. Hoping to reunite her with them, Heather took proactive steps.
“We contacted shelters, the police, animal control, and I’ve posted her picture on lost dog pages on community sites,” Heather mentioned in an interview.
Efforts to trace the owner across Illinois proved fruitless. Attempts to find a microchip also turned up nothing. A few days later, a disturbing video surfaced online showing a dog being thrown from a car.
Heather’s mother-in-law was concerned it might be the same dog.
Devastated by the revelation, Heather decided to provide a loving home for the dog, whom they named Bella Star, ensuring she would never face cruelty again.
Heather shared, “It’s weird, and I don’t really understand it, but it’s as if we’ve had her for her entire life. She is fully trained; she sleeps in the bed with us; she gets excited for car rides, excited for walks. I don’t understand.”
When Heather posted Bella Star’s story on TikTok, it sparked an outpouring of support and admiration from viewers. One user commented, “She loves you, you are the chosen one, something bad happened at her last house.”
Bella Star’s immediate bonding with Heather and her family suggested she knew she was finally safe. Another viewer mentioned, “My pitbull mix does not like men, and I think it’s because she was in a fighting ring and either got out or was let go as a puppy.”
Heather suspected Bella Star’s past might have involved neglect or abuse, but it was clear she was now in a place where she was meant to be.
Adding to the support, a comment read, “American bully babies are the most cuddly babies.” Bella Star’s affectionate demeanor, seen in the videos as she hugged Heather tightly, supported this view.
Through Heather’s kindness, Bella Star, who endured so much, finally enjoys the secure and loving life every dog deserves. While her difficult past might never be fully understood, her future is bright and filled with love.
Read more Dogs News.
