A few years ago, Lieschen O’Neill walked into the Lawrence Humane Society in Kansas with no intention of adopting. She was simply browsing, or so she thought. But as she later admitted, “nobody goes to the Humane Society just to look.”
She didn’t leave with just memories of the visit. She left with Belle, a dog who would become an irreplaceable part of her life.
Belle wasn’t your typical rescue dog. Her appearance and personality made her stand out in ways that only deepened her family’s love for her.
A Pup With A Peculiar Expression
When Belle reached about a year old and was nearly full grown, her family began noticing something unusual.
She had always looked a little different, but as she matured, her features became more pronounced.
Her eyes gave her a look of constant surprise, wide and expressive in a way that caught everyone’s attention.
Curious about the cause, Lieschen and her family took Belle to the vet for a thorough examination.
The veterinarian studied Belle’s facial structure and eyes, eventually offering a likely explanation.
She may have experienced complications during birth, possibly getting stuck in the birth canal. This affected the muscles in her face, pulling them back slightly as she developed.
“As a result, everything was kind of pulled back a little bit. So her eyes kind of look a little bit bug-eyed, but everything’s there and she’s totally fine,” Belle’s mom told We Love Animals.
Though her eyes can become dry, Belle only needs occasional prescription drops. She’s otherwise healthy and full of life, her unique look simply adds to her charm.
The Moment That Changed Everything
When Lieschen first entered the shelter, Belle was already waiting in her kennel.
As soon as she saw her, Belle rushed to the gate and pressed her face against the bars, eager for attention and affection.
She radiated energy and warmth, clearly longing for connection.
“She just jumped up in my lap, licked my face, and at that moment, we knew we were going home with Belle. It was a great day,” Lieschen said.
Today, Belle is the heart of the household. Her family can’t imagine life without her gentle spirit and playful personality.
To them, she’s the perfect dog. Her quirks only make her more lovable, and her presence brings joy every single day.
She’s attentive, affectionate, and always ready to brighten someone’s mood.
And she has one particularly endearing obsession: slippers.
A post shared by Belle the Dog (@bellebows4117)
“She adores slippers so much, she loves to carry them around. She will maybe pick up one slipper or two slippers, sometimes even three slippers and see how many she can get in her mouth and just carry them around,” Lieschen said.
Beyond her expressive eyes and slipper-carrying antics, Belle enjoys all the simple pleasures of dog life.
She loves curling up for naps, savoring tasty treats, soaking up belly rubs, and most of all, being close to her family.
Her sweet and goofy moments are shared on Instagram and TikTok, where she continues to charm viewers with her unique personality.
