In need of your very own house hippo? Bella Ella would love to find a home for her to show off her wiggles! Our sweet girl is such a gentle giant. Her beautiful smile and expressive face are so adorable and entertaining you'll easily fall in love at first sight. Bella's never really met a "stranger", she showers every person she meets with affection. Her tail starts to wag as soon as she sees people, even if they're across the street! Bella Ella can't get enough cuddles or belly rubs and often checks in by getting up from a nap to ask for pets. Bella even leans her whole body into you and gives gentle kisses. 

Bella's big brown puppy dog eyes are always looking for your approval. She's super gentle when taking treats, great on-leash, and very well-behaved. This cutie loves a nice stroll through the neighborhood with lots of time to stop and sniff. She never pulls on the leash, unless there’s a squirrel nearby! Luckily she's very treat-motivated so she's learning redirection and commands super well. Bella can sometimes get short bursts of energy and want to play tug or chase, but is ready for a nice nap pretty quickly after playful escapades. 

Bella Ella came to us after her original owner died. She has reportedly done well living with another calm dog in the past, but slow introductions are recommended as excitable dogs can be overwhelming for her. She likes cats in the wrong kind of way, so she wouldn't be a good fit for a home with feline friends. 

Bella Ella does have a bit of arthritis so that can cause a slower gait, and hinder her from using lots of stairs throughout the day. So, a home with less stairs or a single floor would be ideal for her to feel her best self! Bella is a part of our Hospice Program due to her mast cell tumors (MCTs) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and she is looking for a special family who will diligently monitor and provide care for her quality of life and overall comfort for whatever time she has left.

She is ready to be spoiled with all the love you have to offer, and if you're in the market to bring an all-in-one dog-hippo-baby seal home with you, please contact us about Bella Ella!

Age: ~5.5 years old
How I came to PAWS: Owner Passed Away
Animal ID#: A-56322
Weight: 76.6 lbs

Mixed breed (It’s impossible to identify breed mix by sight alone, so for most dogs, their mix is only a guess. We get to know each dog as an individual and strive to make matches based on personality, not on breed label.)

Location: Foster Care

​All of our dog meets are by appointment only; to get started, please complete the adoption application. To learn more about this dog, please contact us at adoptions@phillypaws.org or 215-298-9680 ext. 16.

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, 2900 Grays Ferry Ave, Phila, PA 19146 (by appointment only). PA Lic.# 06172.