Australian Cattle Dog Blue Heeler Dogs Available for Adoption

Meet Gracie — A Sweet Girl Who Deserves Relief

Gracie is a 4-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix currently being fostered through Fort Bend Animal Services. She was found as a stray in Beasley, TX, and while her body tells a painful story, her heart tells a hopeful one.

Gracie is incredibly gentle, affectionate, and loving. She adores people and has clearly had a family before — she loves stuffed toys, especially ducks, and leans into affection like she's been waiting for safety again.

Unfortunately, Gracie is living with significant, unmanaged pain.

What We Know So Far

While the shelter believed her limp might be arthritis or an old soft-tissue injury, her foster took her to a veterinarian at their own expense to get another opinion — and the findings were deeply concerning:

• The vet is 90% certain Gracie has an old fracture approximately two inches below her elbow that healed improperly (malunion)
• She has crepitus (bone grinding) and swelling in the elbow, consistent with an untreated fracture
• She is currently on daily Galliprant and monthly Librela, yet she remains in pain
• She cannot tolerate even a 10-minute walk
• She has a cracked/broken tooth, likely from the same traumatic event, which may abscess
• She is heartworm positive and has been placed on a 6-month slow-kill protocol

Despite medication, Gracie is still hurting — and without imaging, we are guessing instead of helping.

Why This Matters

Gracie's pain may have been less obvious in the shelter environment because she was confined to a kennel and not exercised. But in a home, her limitations are heartbreakingly clear.

Her injuries are very likely the result of being hit by a car — and she may have been abandoned because her family couldn't or wouldn't pay for treatment.

What Gracie Needs

The first and most critical step is diagnostics:

X-rays of her front leg and elbow
A clear diagnosis of what is causing her pain
A treatment plan — which could include surgery, specialized care, or even amputation if that offers her the best quality of life

Her vet has advised that surgery carries higher risk due to her heartworm status, so careful planning is essential — but we can't plan without answers.

The Good News

Gracie's foster family is 100% committed. They are willing to foster her through all treatment and recovery, no matter what that looks like. They simply don't want her returned to the shelter, where a dog labeled as “broken” could be overlooked.

And we agree.

How You Can Help

We are asking for help to raise funds for:

• Diagnostic X-rays
• Dental care
• Pain management
• Future treatment or surgery
• Continued heartworm care

Every dollar gets Gracie closer to comfort, answers, and the life she deserves.

She survived the streets.
She survived the injury.
Now she just needs our village.

Please donate, share, and help us give Gracie relief.
If you can't donate, sharing this post truly helps.

Donate:
https://www.venmo.com/u/BellesBudsRescue
http://bit.ly/BellesBudsApp
BellesBudsRescue.org

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Thank you for standing up for the dogs the system can't fully help on its own.

The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler, is a hardworking and intelligent breed originally developed in Australia for herding cattle. Renowned for their endurance and agility, these medium sized dogs have a striking blue or red speckled coat and alert, curious expression. With a strong herding instinct and boundless energy, they require mental stimulation and physical activity to thrive. Blue Heelers are loyal, protective, and make excellent companions for active individuals or families willing to provide the engagement and exercise they need.

Belle's Buds Rescue is passionate about making a difference in the lives of people and dogs. We want to save ...