The journey of a terrified beagle, Ella, from a laboratory to the loving arms of a family might break your heart initially, but by the end of the story, it will surely warm your soul.
Ella, a beautiful beagle, spent her entire life confined to a cage, being subjected to experiments. Rescued from a Cumberland, Virginia facility where she endured unending pain and isolation, she was brought home by a compassionate woman named Lori.
The Humane Society of the United States, responsible for rescuing 4,000 beagles from such cruel conditions, shared a truth that may be startling for many: around 60,000 dogs like Ella are still used in laboratories every year. The organization continues to work tirelessly to promote alternatives to animal testing, aiming to put an end to this cruel practice.
When Ella was first brought home, she was shaking like a leaf, her body a visible embodiment of terror. She didn’t move for five days, unless Lori carried her outside, and even then, the wind would send her into paralyzing fear. But Lori never gave up on Ella.
With gentle care and patience, Ella began to come out of her shell. Those tiny movements, sitting in different spots or pecking at the buttons on Lori’s couch, became signs of life returning to this broken soul.
Lori describes the journey as full of little moments that gradually turned into bigger ones. From being scared of her reflection in the mirror to playing with a tennis ball, Ella’s transformation was remarkable. She went from being completely terrified of life to a happy, playful puppy.
It took four weeks of tender love and consistent encouragement for Ella to turn around completely. Her transition from a scared animal to a joyous dog was like “night and day.” Lori was rewarded by witnessing Ella wag her tail for the first time, a milestone that celebrated her newfound freedom and joy.
After four weeks, Ella was ready to be put up for adoption and found her forever home. Lori’s heart was heavy with sadness but also filled with joy, knowing that Ella was going to a loving family. In her new home, Ella even found another beagle friend to play with.
Lori’s parting words about Ella’s new life were full of hope: “I’m super excited for her new life. I’m so happy that she found her forever home. She, for the first time, got to experience what it’s like to be in a loving family.”
Ella’s story is a testament to the power of love, compassion, and perseverance. If her story touched your heart, think about how you too can make a difference. Adopt, don’t shop, or support organizations working to end animal testing. Your actions can give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves and create loving forever homes for animals like Ella.
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