‘We can’t wait to take her on trips to the beach.’ Ella the Staffie settles into her foster home

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens. Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Snuggled in a home knitted blanket, donated by a well wisher, the sweet natured dog has gained around half a stone and her coat is now healthy and shining.

The brindle Staffie, who vets think is between five and eight years old, has gone from abandoned close to death and suffering hypothermia, to settling into a new routine with Amical Vet nurse, Laura Dickens at her March home.

Laura is helping Ella build up her trust and strength alongside her own Staffie Eden.

“Ella was the worst emaciated dog I’ve seen in all my time as a vet nurse,” Laura said.

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens (seen here in this photo). Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

“I fell in love with her immediately, as many others seem to have done, judging by all the donations of blankets, food and health supplements.

“She has really struck a chord with people.”

Ella was rushed to Amical Vets in March High Street by customer, Mrs Ewan, who found the weak animal collapsed and crumpled at the roadside in Dykemoor, near Doddington.

Laura said: “She was so upset that somebody could do this to a dog on one of the coldest nights so far this year.

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens. Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

“Dr Nick Valley immediately placed Ella on warm fluids to rehydrate her, then she was wrapped in warm blankets and heat mats to help bring her temperature up.

“Since then she has been bathed regularly with medicated shampoo to help treat her coat. She is a such a good girl and tolerates her treatments very well with fish treats rewards which she loves!

“She is a sweet natured, gentle girl. She is very loving, I don’t understand how somebody would want to be cruel to her.”

Laura plans to adopt Ella into her family once the recovery and foster period is over.

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens. Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

“Ella may not have been very lucky before but now things are looking up,” Laura said.

“We can’t wait to take her on trips to the beach, the woods and country parks. She is going to have the best time.”

• A Go Fund Me has been set up by Jemma Mason to help cover Ella’s treatment.

• Money raised through Ravenswood Pet Rescue has been passed to Amical Vets for Ella’s continuing care.

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens. Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella's foster sister Eden is teaching Ella to trust again. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella is settling well into her new home with Amical Vet nurse Laura Dickens. Ella was found dumped in the freezing cold in the middle of nowhere. Since being rescued she has gone from weighing half her body weight of just 10kg to more than 13kg in a fortnight. Well wishers have donated food, blankets and money. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella the staffie was dumped at Dykemoor, near Doddington. She is half her body weight and was suffering hypothermia where she was dumped in the middle of nowhere in freezing temperatures. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella the staffie was dumped at Dykemoor, near Doddington. She is half her body weight and was suffering hypothermia where she was dumped in the middle of nowhere in freezing temperatures. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella the staffie was dumped at Dykemoor, near Doddington. She is half her body weight and was suffering hypothermia where she was dumped in the middle of nowhere in freezing temperatures. Picture: KATH SANSOM (Image: Archant)

Ella the staffie was found starved and dumped in the middle of nowhere at Dykemoor, near Doddington. Picture: AMICAL VETERINARY CENTRE, MARCH. (Image: Archant)

Ella the staffie was found starved and dumped in the middle of nowhere at Dykemoor, near Doddington. Picture: AMICAL VETERINARY CENTRE, MARCH. (Image: Archant)