An Unexpected Encounter
One sunny day in South California, Belle Bermudez was leaving her friend’s house when she noticed a woman waving at her desperately. Curious and concerned, Belle approached her. The woman led Belle to a bushy area and pointed to a fluffy creature curled up among the leaves. It was a dog, but its fur was so matted and tangled! The dog looked terrified, and Belle knew they needed to act quickly. But how could they help a dog that was too scared to even look at them?
Belle borrowed a leash from a neighbor and cautiously approached the frightened dog. “I used a spare leash to catch Swiftie and coax her down from the hill where she ran when I first tried to approach her. She was petrified and wouldn’t eat, drink, or move while anyone was near her,” Belle shared. After a lot of patience and gentle reassurance, Belle managed to bring the dog home. They named her Swiftie and immediately checked for a microchip, hoping to find an owner. Unfortunately, there was no chip—Swiftie was a stray.
Belle knew she had to help. She called a friend to assist in cleaning up the poor dog. Swiftie was in terrible shape—dirty, with an overgrown and matted coat. Belle and her friend gave Swiftie a thorough wash and decided to trim her fur for a fresh start. They had no idea that hidden beneath all that fur was a big surprise waiting to be uncovered. What could it be?
As they cleaned Swiftie, they began to notice something unusual. Underneath all that fur was a secret that would soon reveal itself in a most surprising way.
A Hidden Surprise
Once Swiftie’s overgrown coat was trimmed, Belle and her friend could see it clearly: Swiftie was pregnant! Her large belly had been hidden under the matted fur, but now it was obvious that she was close to giving birth. Belle decided to contact local shelters to see if they could take in Swiftie. “This way I could be sure that she and her puppies would be well taken care of,” Belle explained. She planned to bring Swiftie to a shelter the next morning.
But Swiftie had a different plan. The following morning, Belle noticed that Swiftie was behaving strangely. Could it be? Was Swiftie about to give birth?
Yes, she was! “I panicked at first, but then a sort of mom mode kicked in,” Belle recalled. “I grabbed some towels and called the friend who helped me groom her … She arrived just in time to help me with the third and fourth puppies, and we got them all cleaned up and nursing on Mama.”
The once scruffy stray turned out to be a brave mother. Swiftie gave birth to seven puppies! Belle and her husband welcomed the adorable puppies into their home. They named them Traffic Light, Lover, Augustine, Lavender, Haze, Cowboy, and Saturn, and each one fit right in with the family.
Caring for a Big Family
What do you do with eight dogs? You take care of them! Belle and her husband decided to keep all the puppies until they were 8 weeks old and ready for adoption. The journey was challenging. Some puppies struggled to gain weight like their siblings, and Belle had to give them extra attention to ensure they thrived. Her tender loving care kept Swiftie’s entire litter healthy.
The puppies were born in June of 2023. Now, it’s August, and some of the puppies have already been adopted. By the end of the month, all the puppies, including Swiftie, will have found loving families. Swiftie, a mix of miniature Poodle and Pekingese, found a new home with a wonderful woman who adores her. Although moving from her cozy Southern California home will be an adventure, Swiftie is ready for it.
Parting was bittersweet. Knowing that Swiftie would be unconditionally loved and cared for made it easier for Belle. While Belle will miss the morning puppy cuddles, she’s proud of the beautiful little souls she helped raise. Rescuing Swiftie and helping her trust humans again was a rewarding experience. Although it will be difficult to keep track of all the puppies and Swiftie in their new homes, Belle hopes to share occasional updates on her TikTok account.
The Journey’s End
Belle’s adventure with Swiftie has been filled with unexpected twists and heartwarming moments. From a stray with a matted coat to a loving mother of seven adorable puppies, Swiftie’s transformation is amazing. Belle’s dedication and love for these animals show that a little kindness can make a huge difference.
Swiftie’s story reminds us that sometimes, the most surprising events lead to the greatest joys. Each puppy has found a loving home, and Swiftie herself is now cherished by a wonderful new owner. This experience has given Belle unforgettable memories and the satisfaction of knowing she changed the lives of these dogs for the better.
“I never imagined that stepping out of my friend’s house that day would lead to this incredible journey,” Belle said. “But I wouldn’t change a thing. Swiftie and her puppies have brought so much joy into our lives.”
As we follow Belle’s updates on TikTok, we hope that Swiftie’s story inspires others to open their hearts and homes to animals in need. The bond between humans and pets is truly special, and stories like these remind us just how strong that bond can be.
caroline0
Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story. It’s so inspiring to see such kindness in the world. 😊
ezekieldelta
Wow, Swiftie’s transformation is amazing! But why didn’t Belle take her to a vet immediately?
asher
What an incredible story! Belle, you’re a true hero for rescuing Swiftie and her puppies. 🐶💖