Special 'Unicorn' Dog with 5 Legs Is Searching for a Forever Home in Wisconsin

A very special little pup named Bella is looking for a forever home in Wisconsin, and what makes this little girl so unique is that she was born with five legs.

Bella's condition is known as dimelia, and it's the first time in the Wisconsin Humane Society's 145 year history they have ever seen a dog with this condition.

The shelter posted on Facebook, in part, "Meet Bella, the first “five-legged” dog we’ve seen in the Wisconsin Humane Society's 145 year history!

We were all just as floored as you likely are when we saw the X-rays! This 6-month-old puppy has dimelia, an extremely rare congenital anomaly characterized by the duplication of bones. It’s basically like an extra leg inside her right hind leg. A normal canine hind leg would have one femur, one tibia, one fibula, and 4-5 toes. X-rays of the affected leg revealed that Bella appears to have an extra femur, two tibias, two fibulas, and nine toes on her rear paw. It is the first-ever case of dimelia we’ve seen in our organization’s history, and as far as we can tell, she’s one of the *very* few documented cases of dimelia in a dog – ever!"

Related: Unique Puppy Born with 6 Legs Is Stealing Hearts Everywhere

The Humane Society went on to explain that Bella's unique condition isn't causing her any pain, but that it does affect her mobility a slight amount. Despite this, Bella still loves to run and play.

If you are interested in adopting this very special pup, you can find information at the website for the Wisconsin Humane Society here.

What To Consider Before Adopting a Dog With Special Needs

Anytime you adopt a dog from a shelter it's a very noble thing to do, but adopting a dog with special needs is a very noble act of compassion.

However, this isn't for everyone.

Disability among special-needs animals ranges from the physical to behavioral.

These may include things physical disabilities, chronic health conditions, behavioral issues, or emotional trauma. You have to think about whether you have the time, resources and willingness to give these special dogs all the care and affection they deserve.

You have to take your finances into consideration, and you need to have access to a veterinarian who has experience and expertise in treating special needs dogs. And we all know that those vet visits can be pricey, not to mention any special adjustments made to your home for a mobility challenged dog, or a special diet they may require.

You have to take your emotional health into consideration. Losing a pet is always heartbreaking, but when you take on a pet with special needs, you need to keep in mind that their time with you may be shorter than you'd like.

It's a wonderful thing to adopt a dog with health problems, but you have to be emotionally, financially and mentally ready. These dogs deserve all the love and care in the world.

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