Adopt

My name is Bella (S25-180)!

Posted over 3 weeks ago | Updated over 2 weeks ago

Adoption process
1

Submit Application

2

Interview

3

Approve Application

4

Meet the Pet

5

Pay Fee

6

Sign Adoption Contract

7

Take the Pet Home

Adoption fee: $125

This helps National Mill Dog Rescue with pet care costs.

My basic info

Breed
Maltese
Color
White
Age
8 years 3 months old, Senior
Size
Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)
Weight
8 lbs (current)
Sex
Female
Pet ID
48

My details

Checkmark in teal circle Has special needs

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

-I am bonded to Taco and we are looking for a home together.
I do have diabetes and will need lifelong care and management for this condition-

Bella is a small, gentle dog with a wonderfully spunky personality. She has diabetes and is on a managed routine that includes a special diet and insulin twice a day. Bella also has some vision impairment, which means she may bump into things in darker spaces or shadows, but she navigates daily life with confidence and curiosity. Despite these limitations, Bella enjoys sunbathing, rolling in the grass, and going on short, relaxed walks. She walks beautifully on a leash and may need to be carried for longer distances.

Bella has a calm demeanor with bursts of playfulness that always bring joy to her foster home. She greets her people with an unforgettable little howl and may proudly bring a toy to say hello. She loves being near her family—on the couch, in the same room, or curled up close during quiet time—but she is also comfortable being left alone for a few hours. She sleeps peacefully through the night and is house trained, occasionally using a potty pad if needed.

Bella gets along well with other dogs and cats. Due to her small size and delicate build, she may be best suited for a home with older children who understand how to interact gently with her. She can get excited at mealtime and vocal about it, and her foster family is helping her learn calmer routines around food. Bella does not resource guard, though she will let her brother know when she wants his toy or if his enthusiasm becomes too much for her. Her antics are both endearing and entertaining, and she keeps her foster home laughing with her unique blend of sweetness and sass.

Bella and her brother share a strong bond. She may be the one in charge, but their connection is unmistakable. They comfort each other, learn from each other, and bring out the best in one another. Because of this, they will need to be adopted together.

Bella’s ideal home is one with a lower to moderate activity level—one that appreciates gentle walks, cozy afternoons, and the joyful quirks of a deeply lovable pair. With the right family, Bella and her brother will continue to blossom and share their affectionate, funny, and loyal nature every day.

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Before being rescued, many of our dogs had limited socialization, so they may need some time to adjust to life as a family pet. Older kids are often a great fit for our dogs, and homes with younger children will be considered based on each dog's individual needs. Skills like house training and leash walking may take a little extra patience and practice. However, with understanding and a gentle hand, most of these dogs adapt quite quickly. Being a part of their rehabilitation is a truly rewarding experience. To learn more about mill dogs and start the adoption process, visit our website!
Rescue

Contact info

Pet ID
48
Contact
Go to nmdr.org/our-dogs/adopt/ to apply!
Address
5335 JD Johnson Rd, Peyton, CO 80831

Their adoption process

1.

Submit Application

2.

Interview

We will set up a phone interview with you over email

3.

Approve Application

4.

Meet the Pet

We will help you set up a time where all family members and dogs can come and meet your potential new dog

5.

Pay Fee

Once you've found the right dog, you can take the dog home that day if they are ready to go home.

6.

Sign Adoption Contract

7.

Take the Pet Home

Additional adoption info

Adopting a retired mill dog can be a challenging experience. These dogs have had very little human contact and may take quite a bit of time adjusting to life as a "real" dog. Therefore, we consider each adoption a trial and never want an adoptive home to feel like they're stuck with a dog if there are problems. One thing that mill dogs need more than anything else is time. Barring any major problems, we ask that adopters give the dog a reasonable amount of time to adjust to its new home. Most of our dogs do remarkably well and bring lots of joy and a great sense of satisfaction to their new owners.

Persons interested in adopting one of our dogs must complete the Adoption Application on our website. Those who meet our requirements and who appear to be a good match for a dog will be interviewed by a NMDR home study volunteer. The next step would be to have a home check with all members of the family present. You will then be able to meet the dogs that are available. Adopting families will then sign a contract. We do not place dogs in homes that we believe will not work out, so please respect our decision.

Requirements for Adopting:

• We do require fenced yards in most cases. (It may be possible for an adult or senior dog to work out fine in a townhouse or condo environment, that have small enclosures/patio's). We will occasionally adopt to apartments dwellers but only on a case by case basis. Puppies will not go to homes where they will be left alone for many hours. Most of our dogs have lived in small cages all their lives and we would prefer for other methods other than crating be arranged for when the dog is home alone.

• All NMDR dogs will be primarily inside dogs - no dogs will live outside.

• All NMDR dogs will be provided with adequate fresh food and water, clean, dry shelter when outside, and daily exercise.

• All NMDR dogs will be provided with a safe collar with ID tags to be worn at all times.

• All adoptive families will obey all applicable laws governing control and custody of animals.

• All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed by the dog including but not limited to: yearly medical checkups and vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication.

• All NMDR dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog.

• NMDR assumes no responsibility nor shall they be held liable for any damages caused by the adopted animal to property, person or other pets. If any medical problems occur after adoption, NMDR is not liable for any medical bills.

• If you have other pets, they must be spayed/neutered if you adopt from us. Your other pets must be up to date on all vet care (shots and preventatives).

• If you are unsure as to whether you can commit to a dog for the rest of its life (regardless of whether you move, change jobs, or get divorced) then please rethink your decision to adopt a dog. Adoption is for the rest of the dog’s life and our rescued dogs have already had enough turmoil in their lives.

Adoption Fees:

$400 for puppies up to 11 months old
$350 for 1 year old to 7 years old
$250 for dogs older than 8 years old

Our expenses preparing our dogs for adoption are much greater than our fees cover. Donations above the adoption fees will help us continue our efforts to rescue dogs.

Adoption application

Go meet their pets

Thank you for your interest! If you have not already done so, please submit the adoption application found at this link: https://nmdr.org/our-dogs/adopt/ if you have already submitted an application-
Within 72 hours of receipt of your application, an Adoptions Team member will respond to you via EMAIL with instructions on next steps in the application process. Be sure to check your junk or spam email as well. Please note that it is best to not have a particular dog in mind as he or she could get adopted before you are approved to adopt. Your application is valid for 11 months and we are always rescuing dogs.
Once you are approved to adopt, you will be able to set up the meet and greet and you will also bring your dog or dogs with you. If you are looking to adopt from outside of Colorado, you do need to follow the above process, and if approved to adopt, you will need to travel to Colorado to meet and pick up your next family member. We do not allow shipping or transportation.

More about this rescue

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome discarded breeding dogs and to educate the general public about the cruel realities of the commercial dog breeding industry.

National Mill Dog Rescue was established in February 2007, in honor of a forgiving little Italian Greyhound named Lily. Theresa Strader, NMDR’s Founder and Executive Director, rescued Lily from a dog auction in Missouri. Prior to that day, Lily had spent the first seven years of her life as a commercial breeding dog, a puppy mill mom. Determined that her years of living in misery would not be in vain, Strader started NMDR, giving a voice to mill dogs across the country.

Other pets at this rescue