RESIDENTS and visitors across Teignbridge and south Devon have rallied round to raise money to finance medical treatment for a Teignmouth guide dog with the early stages of cancer.

The Bella Appeal was launched in July after the heartbreaking story of her illness and her blind owner, 58-year-old Tim Horsfield, who was rapidly spiraling into debt financing the dog’s veterinary bills.

Mr Horsfield’s neighbour Ian Robinson, known for his past successful fundraising efforts for various causes, set up the appeal for £4,000 and in three months it has already topped £1,900.

It includes £250 from a Torquay woman with guide dog connections and £100 from a Newton Abbot couple.

Bella is an eight-year-old collie cross and is constantly at her owner’s side, but earlier this year was diagnosed as being terminally ill with lymphoma, though hopefully with a good prognosis into next year.

The search for funds is to cover chemotherapy to extend Bella’s life with her owner, ‘always provided she is not suffering,’ stressed Mr Horsfield.

Money that has come in has helped reduce Mr Horsfield’s soaring credit card bill which has been covering vet consultations, blood tests and daily medication. Encouragingly, Bella is responding well to treatment.

Chemotherapy is as traumatic for dogs as it is for humans. There have been occasional bad days, but, in the main, most who know this inseparable man and dog would never believe Bella is sick.

On Teignmouth beach she comes alive and can snatch a flying frisbee from the air or retrieve a tennis ball from the foaming surf, while, at home, she still enthusiastically pulls squeaky pig from the toy box to entertain visitors.

Mr Horsfield attributes this continued vitality to a careful, healthy diet, including brazil nuts, fish and rice cooked with coconut, laced with as much love and regular exercise as he can muster.

‘Bella needs the best possible food and fitness to fight the months ahead,’ he said.

The collie cross is now in her second phase of treatment, which is less intense, but still costing her owner £300 a time, about £10 a day.

Vet Jonathan Carr, of the Teignview Veterinary Group, confirmed Bella’s good progress.

‘She continues to do well, responding to the treatments; we are now in maintenance therapy so side effects are reduced and she’s back up to her original weight. Currently all the lumps have disappeared, indicating the tumour presently being contained,’ he said.

Mr Horsfield said he wished he could thank each and every one personally who had given to the appeal.

‘Without doubt, Bella would not be alive today without the help of my credit card, supported by the amazing efforts of the appeal so far,’ he said.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Bella Appeal can do so by: a direct donation via Paypal by sending to [email protected] or to Bella Appeal, NatWest Bank, Teignmouth, 60-21-47 a/c 58622047, or left at Teignview Veterinary Group Surgery, Maudlin Drive, Teignmouth.

For more appeal information contact Mr Robinson on 07805 672945.