A horse that was severely burned trying to protect her foal is taking daily walks and has made huge progress after a fire erupted in their barn last month.
Bella and her then 2-week-old foal, Butterscotch, were trapped when flames devoured their barn in Alvarado on April 6.
Bella pushed Butterscotch into a corner and shielded her from the fire, said Whitney Hanson, of the Humane Society of North Texas.
Bella was badly burned on her back but Butterscotch’s injuries were mostly minor.
"Her story went viral,” Hanson said. “The fact she protected her foal, that motherly love, really spoke to people."
The Humane Society said so many donations poured in from around the world that it isn't asking for any more.
At first, nobody was sure if Bella would survive.
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"When we got her in we really feared the worst,” Hanson said. "She's come further faster than any of us expected."
The two are being treated at Outlaw Equine in Decatur, where veterinarians are watching closely for any signs of infection.
Despite her injuries, Bella has never stopped nursing Butterscotch. The two still stay close even on walks.
"They're doing really well,” Hanson said. “We're very optimistic about their recovery."
At this point, most of their concern is for Bella.
"We weren't really sure she would pull through but she had such spirit and such a bond with her baby, Butterscotch, that we think that's the reason she's come so far,” Hanson said.
The two may be reunited with their owners who took good care of them but couldn’t afford their medical care, she said.
