Bella, a beagle mix whose legs are paralyzed, will soon have a new home in Colorado thanks to a fundraiser through the Butler County Humane Society. Submitted photo

We learned in the Thursday, June 26, edition of the Butler Eagle about Bella, a beagle mix who’s had a hard life.

Bella was taken in by the Butler County Humane Society, and when she was examined, vets discovered her back legs were permanently paralyzed.

A nonprofit, Joey’s PAW, stepped in to help and has donated a custom wheelchair, which has given Bella back some of her mobility and independence. But even with the wheelchair, Bella will likely require extra care for the rest of her life.

And she’s found someone to offer that care — Kiki McGough, a woman with ties to Pittsburgh who now lives in Colorado. McGough has experience caring for dogs that use wheelchairs to get around.

Once Bella is settled in at her new home, McGough plans to have her do emotional support work in the community.

But it’s not easy to get a dog from Butler County to Colorado. That is where private pilot Hunter Timko comes in. He volunteered to fly Bella the 1,400 miles to her new home.

Such a flight isn’t cheap, though. To cover the costs, the humane society collected donations, with a goal of $5,000. As of Thursday, the fundraiser had brought in more than $5,200.

McGough and Timko both deserve praise for their involvement, as does everyone who cared enough to donate to cover the cost of Bella’s flight.

— JK