In 2017, a small, frightened puppy named Bella entered our lives, abandoned by someone who had likely given up on her. Bella was a six-month-old female Labrador, full of life and innocence, yet facing an uncertain future. Initially, adopting her seemed impossible; balancing the demands of a corporate job with the responsibilities of caring for a dog felt overwhelming. But the thought of Bella ending up in the hands of a breeder, living a life devoid of love and care, was unbearable.

And so, we took the leap. Bella became our first rescue, and little did we know, she would change our lives forever. As we spent time with Bella, walking her through the neighborhood, we began to notice the many stray dogs that roamed the streets. These dogs, unlike Bella, didn’t have the safety and comfort of a home. Their lives were a daily struggle for survival—finding food, avoiding danger, and enduring harsh weather.

Bella taught us to see the world through their eyes. With her by our side, we started feeding the strays and offering them whatever care we could manage. What began as small acts of kindness quickly grew into a mission. Each stray we helped seemed to add a new member to our family.