On an unseasonably hot September day, Bella, a 5-year-old shih tzu mix, was left in a laundry basket near the parking lot of the Turlock Animal Services shelter. Her fur was matted with feces and urine, and her back legs were non-functioning.

“Every animal that comes through our door, regardless of their circumstances, we treat as our own,” said Officer Callie Borges, a senior animal control officer. “But any time any time there’s been obvious neglect or abuse, it sparks a bit more fire in the staff here.”

Suffice to say, Bella has ignited an inferno.

“Officer (Suzanne) Miller brought Bella up to the office and noticed that she had no use of her hind legs,” said Borges. “That’s something that’s not uncommon with small dogs that have had a spinal cord injury. It’s called IVDD – intervertebral disc disease. But she showed no signs of pain or discomfort at all. She was still a happy-go-lucky girl.”

Bella was chipped, but Animal Services was unable to make contact with the owner. Various texts and phone calls – to a working number – were not returned.

“We even located a last known address in Turlock,” said Borges. “Officers visited the home and found out the registered owner no longer lived there. Nobody ever came for her.”

Bella was then pampered and prettied during a trip to Angelina’s Pet Styles.

“Angelina’s has done so many of our dogs, and it’s always pro bono,” said Borges. “Whenever we have a grooming need, they always squeeze us in right away to make sure the animals are their best looking as possible.”

Soon after, Bella was fitted for “wheels” that allow her hind legs to be suspended off the ground while she perambulates with her front legs.

“We all pitched in and got the wheels for her,” said Borges. “She took to it right away. It’s the best $20 that each of us ever spent.”

For the time being, because of the wheels, Bella is spending most of her time in the front office, with the Animal Services staff and not in one of the 32 dog kennels – or 17 cat kennels that sometimes accommodate smaller dogs – on site.

“She has a great disposition,” said Borges. “She’s so friendly and she gets along with our office staff and our office cat, Willie, and all the other dogs. She has a real zest for life. She has no idea that she’s been through anything that we consider difficult.”

Borges said that adoptions are free for the remainder of September, and that anybody who wants to give Bella a forever home can do so on the city’s dime. Also, dogs can be “checked out” via the Doggie Day Out program.

“It’s a great way for potential dog owners to assess the behavior of the animal outside the shelter,” said Borges, who’s been with Animal Services for nearly seven years. “You can ‘test drive’ the dog for a day and see how they behave at home, or in the car, or around other animals. And when you check the dogs back in, you fill out a little report card so we can market the dog appropriately.”

Or, if you want, you can simply take a dog for the day to get the animal out of the shelter for a few hours – with no intention of adoption.

The shelter is located at 801 S. Walnut Road. Call 209-656-3140.