Bella's Post Goes Viral; Hit-And-Run Dog Fundraiser Set

All they wanted was "just maybe a prayer or two," but what Mike and Simone Tolley got instead was an outpouring of viral support and concern for a dog named Bella, who came to Mike Tolley's attention after he received a frantic call from his pregnant wife July 13.

"It was about 10:30 p.m.," Tolley said in his Facebook post, and "she had just witnessed a dog being hit by a car and get thrown from the road into a ditch." His wife asked him to stop by on his way home, "and see if I could find the body and maybe bring it home to bury instead of leaving it on the side of the road for the birds [in] the a.m."

The full text of that status update, noted below, posted July 14. As of July 18 at 6:15 p.m., it had received 3,492 likes and 786 comments and, according to a subsequent notice, more than 90,000 visual impressions.

Subsequent posts have been added to Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill Facebook page, including one that noted Fox News would be airing Bella's story July 18.

Also noted was the support the Bella and the Tolleys received, including from the folks at the Brethren of St. Francis Animal Rescue, who are "supervising care of Bella and helping to fund necessary expenses."

Bella was to undergo surgery July 18, at a cost of around which $4,000, which prompted the Tolley and the Brethren of St. Francis to hold an Emergency Care Fundraiser at Uncle Mike’s Smokehouse Grill in Brandon, which is scheduled to begin 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4.

"To raise the necessary funds, friends of Uncle Mike have offered their services of free musical entertainment," notes a Facebook event announcement. "A voluntary donation of $5 will be asked at the gate and a 50/50, silent auction items, and a Bike Wash, sponsored by Brandon Harley-Davidson, will be the means for raising the necessary funds for Bella’s surgery."

Guests are invited to bring their pets for the pet-friendly festivities.

To donate to help offset Bella's medical costs, contact Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in Brandon, at 813-571-3303. Reference, "Bella of The Brethren of St. Francis."

See also Bella's EMERGENCY Medial Care Fundraiser Facebook events page.

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Text Of Uncle's Mike's Facebook Post — July 14

"So here's my amazing story!

"My wife, Simone call me around 10:30pm on her way home. She had just witnessed a dog being hit by a car and get thrown from the road into a ditch. She, as many of you know 8 mos pregnant and an emotional wreck when something like this happens. She call me and asked If I could stop on the way home and see if I could find the body and maybe bring it home to bury instead of Leaving it on the side of the road for the birds on the am.

"I left last restaurant late last night expecting to be picking up a dead dog on the side of the road and burying it so that it may rest in peace and my wife would be calm.....

"I drove the area, circled and circled about to give up and then by a small chance spotted the body.

"I got my flashlight and stepped off into the grass and to my surprise the dog lifted her head, her eyes teared but not a sound. She let me pick her up and rush her to the all night vet. They sedated her for pain and as of this morning she is resting and being transferred to animal services Monday am. Not sure what will come of this. Except she didn't die on the road alone! She laid there for 3 hours before I found her:( somebody just left her to die, not even checking. That's very upsetting. We are not asking for anything, just maybe a prayer or two. I sure feel good knowing she has a chance."

For more on Bella's story, read the subsequent posts and comments at Uncle Mike's Smokehouse Grill Facebook Page.

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