Did you know that the average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 9 to 13 years? Most of us don't like to think about this at all, but unfortunately, our dog friends have a short lifespan.

It's our dog's shorter lifespan that makes them temporary guests in our lives. The dog's perspective, though is completely different.

Our dogs literally spend their whole lives with us, which makes humans betraying dogs in the last moments of their dog lives the cruelest and most heartless thing ever. People should cherish the last days with their dog best friends and make their dogs feel as comfortable as possible before they finally leave this world.

When it comes to dogs, it's the least anyone could do to pay our dogs back for all the unconditional love our dogs have been offering us their whole lives. Bella, a German shepherd dog, nearly drowned back on January 6th of last year in River Trent near Long Lane, Farndon.

It's believed that someone, possibly the dog's previous owner, tied a large rock to her head and dropped the helpless dog in the cold freezing water...

Bella, a German Shepherd Dog was found with a rock tied to her head in freezing, cold water.

The poor dog looked terrified.

The senior German Shepherd was rescued in the nick of time.

This is the enormous rock that was tied to the dog.

They say you can tell when a dog is sad, this picture of Bella says a thousand words.

Bella the German Shepherd Dog is a huge fighter, not only did she managed to survive in the freezing cold water while having a rock tied to her neck, but it was also later discovered after the emergency visit to the vet that she also had many other health issues.

Look at this beautiful dog!

After her transfer to RSPCA, the amazing and hardworking staff of Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham looked after her. Meanwhile, an investigation was launched by the animal welfare charity and local police to find the monster responsible for the cruelty this poor dog had to endure.

We know GSDs are gorgeous but look at this beautiful old dog!

For the last 15 months, the RSPCA has been taking care of the senior German shepherd, where she made a full recovery and was completely transformed. This led her to finally find a loving forever home with Maggie Mellish and Charlie Douglas, a retired couple.

Peep that dog tongue.

A good dog deserves a loving family.

The couple, who reside in a village in South Derbyshire, had previously taken care of dogs like German Shepherds, and were ready to offer Bella (now 11 years old) all the love and attention she deserves. It's pretty much a match made in heaven.

Last Wednesday, the couple headed to the center that used to host Bella because they wished to spend some time with their new family member despite the fact that she is moving in with them the next day.

Jane Harper and Joanne Bellamy, the friends who rescued the dog were also invited to this happy occasion.

One of Bella's new owners, Maggie, shared with the press her side of the story. She said:

“We as a family have had three shepherd-type dogs over the last 30 years and really love them. We lost our rescue dog Tia/Luna two years ago and my daughter’s dog Flame this year. We did really miss them. Then we saw Bella’s story in the press a few weeks ago and the fact she needed a home, so my daughter, Clare Lusher, encouraged us to apply for her.

We know she will need regular vet appointments and are willing to finance those. We know she is in her older years, but we just want to offer her a loving home she so deserves after all she has been through. We are both retired so she will have our company constantly, which is what she really needs, and it will be great for us too.”

Congratulations, Bella! You really are a GOOD dog.