This is Bella's story. Another puppy bought from Linton Pet Shop that has suffered with behavioural and physical issues. This is in her owner's words. Me and my fiancé purchased a golden female cocker spaniel puppy from Linton pet stores in March 2012. We were told she was 12 weeks and she had all the appropriate paperwork! She was very small and we now know she was the runt of the litter! I didn't like the conditions and she was only one of three dogs left there that day, how could we refuse! She was very frightened and timid, we just though that's how she would be until she settled with us! We have both always had dogs and couldn't wait to make her part of the family, unbeknown to us the hell we would go through over the next 4 years! We named her Bella, because she is so beautiful! Bella settled in fine over the first couple of days but at night was horrific! She would cry, howl and shake uncontrollably and get so distressed in her cage downstairs. After 4 nights we did what we said we wouldn't and brought her into our bed where she still sleeps today, lol. Our vet checked her over and said she was in good health just a bit small. Over the next couple of weeks her behaviour changed, for such a small dog her bark and bite hurt! She had to have attention all the time and we couldn't leave her alone at all, she would growl and run at me if I said no! My partners parents looked after her during the week as we had to work and they found her hard work!, I used to cry at how we couldn't control her! We now know this is because she thought we would leave her and lashed out! Even to this day she requires a lot of attention and is not a sociable dog but is an amazing, loving dog! After the first couple of months she settled in great but hated other dogs and people she didn't know and would quiver or jump into our arms on dog walks! Again even today she is like this and cowers away until she has seen that person a couple of times. We took her to puppy classes which made no difference, she hid under the chairs at all times! We thought she would grow out of all these behavioural and social problems but the worst was yet to come! From about 5 months the sickness and diorhea began! We weren't worried at this point as all dogs can get this easily! This has carried on over 4 years until finally this year we received a diagnosis! But let me take you back before this got bad, at 9 months Bella went into her first season, quite early I know! She went through hell, the bleeding continued for over 8 weeks and she became very ill, it's was heart wrenching to witness and we were constantly at the vets! It resulted in an emergency spade (like a full hysterectomy) when she was just under a year! Our vet told us she was stuck in a phantom pregnancy! It took Bella a long time to recover and us as she was on a lot of medication and the wound got infected because she was so distressed! We were never going to breed from her as she was to small we thought to carry a litter and wouldn't have been able to cope but in the end that decision was made for her, God knows what was going on inside her! The emotional impact on her was devastating and to this day she is petrified of the vets, mainly because it's her second home! Over the next three years we were at the vets every month, mainly for chronic sickness and diorhea but also Bella hops on her back legs when she runs. This is due to her back legs not fitting into the sockets correctly and which we know will result in serious arthritis at some point! I dread to think about that day for her as she loves running ! She has been hospitalised countless times at our vets and the specialist vets, Davies in Luton. The trauma she goes through each time is horrible but she nows she is very unwell at this point! We have nearly lost her twice due to the sickness and diorhea that's occurs monthly due to dehydration and the disease that has just been diagnosed this year, finally! Anybody who has had to watch there animal deteriorate into such a state will know how we feel, helpless lost, out of control! The tears that have been shed are countless and each time this occurs I think we might loose her and that doesn't bare thinking about! After 4 years Bella has been diagnosed with IBD (irritable bowl disease). This is where parasites live in Bella's stomach and intestine and they eat away at her good cells! Over 4 years this has been going on and the pain she has endured just brings tears to your eyes! Our vets have said unfortunately this is commonly associated with puppy farms!!! She is now on specialist medication which costs a fortune and is life long!, thank god for insurance! We dont care about the money with Bella it's never crossed our minds we just want her to have a quality of life and a happy life for how long that may be! To date our insurance and us have paid out in excess of £10,000 and rising! Bella is doing great now and our vets and specialists have told us many times she wouldn't be here if we hadn't have gotten her, secretly I think she choose us! We don't know how long she will have or if the medication will last but she is our princess and is so precious to us and our family we treasure each day! People will think we saved Bella but she saved me in some of the darkest times of my life! A dog is not just an animal it is a friend, a family member and a treasured gift!