A 3-year-old dachshund is recovering at BluePearl Veterinary Partners hospital in Brandon after she was rescued from a burning home by Hillsborough County firefighters Thursday.
The dachshund, named Bella, was at home alone when the fire broke out at 7025 Parliament Drive in Tampa around noon. Her owner, Marsha Colon, was at the store with her husband and their 6-year-old daughter when a neighbor called to tell her about the fire.
“I went nuts,” said Colon. “I knew my little Bella was in there. I was afraid she wasn’t going to make it.”
Colon said firefighters pulled Bella from the smoldering house and rushed her to BluePearl, where she was given emergency oxygen and treated for smoke inhalation.
Doctors said she was responding well to treatment and are optimistic she will make a full recovery.
Colon said her family lost everything in the fire, and they are receiving emergency relief from the American Red Cross.
She said the family adopted Bella from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay about two years ago, and the little dog has been the constant companion of her 9-year-old son Isiah ever since.
“She always sleeps with him,” said Colon. “She’s a member of our family. I don’t know what we would do without her.”