Shellac is a brave and loving mom who, along with her six beautiful puppies, joined our program in June of 2024. Her puppies have all found wonderful homes in upstate New York, but Shellac’s journey has taken a different path. During her spay appointment, it was discovered that she has a severe heart murmur, and X-rays revealed a very enlarged heart. Upon further testing we have found out she has Chagas disease. Shellac's resilience and gentle spirit make her a truly special dog deserving of all the love and care we can provide as a sanctuary dog so she can live the rest of her life loved and happy. 

This handsome boy wandered up to a Good Samaritan's farm.. he was skin and bones and exhausted. They reached out to us for help and we quickly said yes (who cant resist a senior!?) He's such a happy boy! We've had a couple cancer scares from testicular cancer and lung cancer but the boy isn't ready to give up yet!

He LOVES food and does the cutest hop to tell you he's ready for a treat!

Gingerbread… aka.. Gingy…has come a long way!! She is beautiful and she knows it!! A bit about her.. We saved her and her sister from the shelter in Brookshire at 8 weeks old back in 2019.. She was adopted shortly after… She was well cared for and loved.. Her adopter went into hospice at 52 years old and the adult children didn’t want her.. So she came back to us in 2023!! It was initially traumatic for Gingy.. it took weeks to win her over.

She has been living with Tammy and learning ranch life!! 

She was severely let down by humans in her past.. her owners neglected her as she was skin and bones when we first got her from the Gardenia shelter. Owners had come forward but all agreed to not let her go back to the horrid conditions.

Well NO more.. She has gained weight and doing great at her amazing foster home. Now she can enjoy her golden years knowing what safety and love is!! 

The world is a scary place for her. We first rescued her and her two pups out of the Gardenia Shelter March 2023... Day one in her foster's house she cried non stop trying to climb up the walls / out the windows to get away. With the help of Brookshire Vet we gave her time to decompress… Fast forward a year and, while she’s still not considered a "normal" dog, she’s slowly learning to trust, loves playing with toys and admires the other dogs (especially Jetta another sanctuary dog).

Have you seen the movie 50 First Dates? Starlight is the epitome of that movie. Every day you may feel like you make some progress, by the end of the day she'll cuddle on the couch with you and give you lots of sweet kisses... but by the next morning you may have to start all over again. She absolutely loves to run and play with the other Sanctuary dogs and enjoys life although she's weary of humans. She's chosen her spot to stay here with us!

Alcova was born into our rescue... her mother was Wyoming. All siblings and mom were adopted but she was always the shy one. She warmed up to Tammy but didn't do well at events, scared of strangers especially kids. It even took her a few months to warm up to Julia but she finally has. Due to her fearful nature she has found her forever home at the Belles Buds Sanctuary home!

Lane was found with Lissie and 3 others in Eagle Lake. She was the last one caught as we had to get a trap set for her... she came to live with Julia on the Belles Buds Ranch and even saved her "brother" McKay's life when he went through Heartworm treatment (he was one of the others rescued from Eagle Lake but has since been adopted!) 

Although weary of humans she's bold around other dogs and even acts as part of the Alpha "Mean Girls" protecting HER crew.

Lissie was found loose in Eagle Lake with 5 dogs total... one was VERY friendly, the others were all pretty timid. We were able to catch them and they were all fostered out. Lissie and Lane the two rat terriers of the crew have been the most shy. Our amazing foster Paige and her family have been fostering Lissie and have made AMAZING progress with her and have agreed to be their forever sanctuary home as it'll take her lots of time to adapt to a new home. She's a dogs' dog and has become besties with their other Belles Buds adopted dogs!

Pooke was originally one of our Cowboy Pups that we rescued in October 2021, the litter unfortunately fell ill with Parvo and Pookie was one of the slower ones to recover. He stayed on the ranch longer than puppies normally do and it started getting harder and harder to let him go (especially since he'd HIDE under tables at events) when we realized he found his home already on the Belles Buds Sanctuary!

Kage, formerly one of the Midnight Pups litter, quickly found his place at the Belle's Buds Ranch, and it became clear he was here to stay! This goofy, thick boy fit in so seamlessly that letting him go wasn't an option. Even as a puppy, Kage carried an old man attitude, adding to his charm. One of the best things about him? His "slow" zoomies. Watching him lumber around is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! After his five minutes of exercise, he's back to his favorite spot - Tammy's office chair - where he snoozes the day away like the king he is. 

McPuff, also known as Hot Rod, arrived at Belle's Buds in an unexpected twist. While a transporter was picking up a litter of puppies, the finder decided to toss McPuff into the car too! No regrets, though - this boy found his forever home at the Belle's Buds sanctuary. When McPuff first arrived, he couldn't bear weight on one of his hind legs. After a vet visit and X-rays, it was discovered that he had been shot and also had a torn ACL. The best course of action was amputation, and since then, McPuff has thrived as a spirited tripod. He's living proof that losing a limb can't slow down a pup with a zest for life!

Georgie is one of 27 Pyrenees rescued from a hoarding situation in Georgetown, Texas. Belle's Buds teamed up with several other rescues across the state to save them all, taking in five of these gentle giants. Three of them found their place on the Belle's Buds Ranch, doing what they do best - protecting the land as livestock guardian dogs. Thought shy with people, Georgie will still come around and hang out with the crew, especially at feeding time. She is the last of the original trio, as her companions Max and Goliath have since passed, but Georgie proudly carries the torch, continuing her vital role as protector of the ranch. 

Sigh Simon - the untouchable. He has been with us since November 2020, and true to his nature, he still isn't a fan of human touch. But what Simon lacks in affection for people, he makes up for with his love for his fur-siblings. He adores curling up with them, especially his best friend Jetta. Despite his shy demeanor, Simon has a funny way of asserting himself as "big man on campus" when new fosters arrive. For the first few days, he makes sure they know who's boss, but once they've passed his unofficial initiation, he quickly welcomes them as part of the pack. Simon may march to the beat of his own drum, but he's become a vital part of the Belle's Buds family. 

Dax, lovingly nicknamed the "Chi-Devil" came to Belle's Buds from Waller County Animal Countrol and wasted no time choosing Julia as her human. Fiercely loyal, Dax isn't too keen on any of the other dogs getting too close to her person. She's become the ultimate protector of the house, keeping a watchful eye on everything (and everyone) that comes through the door. Dax may be small, but her fiery personality makes her a force to be reckoned with (or laughed at haha!)

Stan the Man is a true survivor! Rescues from Harris County Shelter, he was originally an owner surrender along with his German Shepherd "brother". Both dogs were heartworm positive, intact, and Stan struggled with fear aggression. With love and patience, Stan has blossomed into a friendly and loving dog, though he still struggles with insecurity and anxiety, especially when separated from his safe space. Thankfully, he has found his forever home at the Belle's Buds Sanctuary, where he feels secure and content. And the best news? As of late 2022, Stan is officially heartworm negative thanks to the slow treatment method He's a testament to resilience and the power of love and care. 

Simba's journey began as an owner surrender when his family could no longer care for his medical needs. He had an old injury in his hind end and back, causing him to chew his leg and tail raw. Thankfully, our amazing foster stepped up to take him in, and we supported him through regular laser therapy treatments. With time and care, Simba made an incredible recovery, walking beautifully and living pain-free (which help of pain management meds). He is now thriving in his fospice home with Robbie, where he's surrounded by love and comfort in his golden years. Simba's story is one of healing, gratitude, and second chances. 

Ember's story is one resilience and hope. In June 2019, she was saved by firefighters after her owners abandoned her shortly after setting their apartment on fire. They even told the firefighters to "just throw her in the pool" as her matted hair was burnt! Thankfully, one of the firemen, a friend of Belle's Buds, reached out for help. Ember faced a long road to recovery, including time spent in the hyperbaric chamber at Gulf Coast Vet. Thanks to the dedicated care of Gulf Coast, the Johnson family, and her incredible foster and eventual adopter Amy, Ember is now living her best life. She has become one of Belle's Buds proud ambassadors, showing the world just how far love and support can go. 

Tink's journey began at the Fort Bend County Shelter, where Belle's Buds stepped in to rescue her, initially believing she was pregnant due to her large belly. However, they quickly discovered on the X-rays that the cause wasn't puppies but rather 120 hair ties she had ingested! The surgery also revealed Tink had a hole in her heart, with a life expectancy of anywhere from 6 months to a few years. Despite her challenges, she found her perfect sanctuary with her incredible foster, Ashley, who has given her all the love and care she deserves. 

Jetta is a sweet beautiful, and gentle giant with a personality as unique as her special needs. She moves with a quirky, "free-spirited" gait due to double hip dysplasia, but it doesn't bother her one bit. In fact, her movement is more flexible than anything - like a fun-filled Gumby...or maybe Pokey! We suspect Jetta was overbred and crated before she came to us, as she spooks easily, but she has blossomed in her Belle's Buds Sanctuary home. Her past hasn't slowed her down - she keeps up just fine with the other dogs. In fact, her adventurous spirit often leads her right up a tree in pursuit of squirrels. Jetta's resilience and zest for life make her truly one of a kind. 

After being returned by an adopter, Charm lost all trust in strangers. While we don't know what happened, it became clear that only Tammy and Julia could get close to her. Over time, Charm has slowly begun to warm up to regular visitors, but if someone new comes around, she prefers to keep her distance, watching quietly from the woods until they leave. Of course, not without first alerting everyone with her signature "Charm alarm" bark to announce a newcomer's arrival! It's evident that Charm has found her safe have at the Belle's Buds Ranch, where she feels secure and at peace. This is the place she truly calls home. 

Xena's journey to Belle's Buds began when her owner, a student at Prairie View A&M, abandoned her over holiday break. Left behind, Xena was picked up by animal control, and once her "hold" period was up, BBR knew they had to step in! Little did anyone know just how perfectly Xena would fit in. She quickly became Panda's best friend and found her happily-ever-after at Belles Buds Ranch, where she's now a cherished part of the family. Xena's story is a reminder that even the toughest beginnings can lead to the happiest endings. 

Cayenne is one of the original rescues from Houston's Third Ward, brought home in June 2018, just months after BBR was founded in April. Initially nicknamed "the garbage girl" due to her trash-filled mouth, Cayenne quickly left that chapter behind and settled into her new life with ease. It didn't take long for her to steal Julia's heart, and now Cayenne is a beloved permanent member of the BBR family. Her story is a testament to how far love and care can go in transforming lives. 

Dandy holds a special place in Belle's Buds history as one of the original rescues. Back when Tammy and Julia were just getting started, tehy fostered for other rescues like Houston K911 - Anna, the inspiration behind BBR! In June 2018, Lily and her three flower pups arrived. Two of the puppies were later adopted and transported to Washington, but Lily and Dandy stayed behind - Lily because she was heartworm positive and Dandy as she was still recovering from demodex mange. That's when BBR asked Houston K911 to transfer the pair into their care. Little did anyone know that Dandy was meant to stay forever. She found her calling as Panda and Xena's therapy dog. Dandy's journey is a beautiful reminder of how rescue work often leads to the most unexpected blessings.  

We like to joke that Perro adopted Tammy. He originally roamed the Sugar Hill ranches, going from home to home, but after a few months, he decided Belle's Buds Sanctuary was where he truly belonged. Now known as Prince Perro, he's living the royal life he deserves. With his very own throne  - a cozy bedroom he claimed all to himself - Perro is often found napping in luxury, occasionally enjoying breakfast in bed. It's safe to say this prince has found his perfect kingdom!