PAUSE TO HELP RESCUE DOG NEEDS A HAND PAYING FOR CANCER BATTLE.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

CANOGA PARK - Bella the ``Wonder Dog'' can track a hiker in the wilderness, sniff out survivors after an earthquake and hunt for bodies after a disaster.

The 8-year-old border collie helped search for victims in the rubble of the Oklahoma City bombing six years ago and was on the scene after an apartment building collapsed in Echo Park in December.

But can the Los Angeles Fire Department's only certified search-and-rescue dog survive cancer?

``These dogs are very adventurous and place themselves where angels fear to tread,'' said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for the LAFD. ``We owe it to them to do everything we can to protect them.''

That's why local firefighters are seeking the public's help for Bella.

Bella was diagnosed in January with spindle cell carcinoma, a slow-growing, treatable form of cancer in her right foreleg. She has undergone 17 radiation treatments and her medical bills are mounting, so far topping $4,000.

The department is prohibited from spending taxpayers' money for Bella's medical bills, Humphrey said, so firefighters are seeking donations to cover the costs. An account has been set up to help cover the medical bills, and organizers have collected about $2,000 so far.

Deresa Teller, Bella's handler and trainer, also has been chipping away at the debt monthly out of her own pocket. Teller pays for all of Bella's upkeep without reimbursement from the department.

``I hope this isn't just for Bella, but other search dogs in the future,'' said Teller, a 22-year firefighter and paramedic assigned to Station 104 in Winnetka. ``If our dogs are injured we have to pay the bill.''

Bella has been recuperating since mid-February from her radiation treatments and returned to work two weeks ago. Most of the fur shaved from her leg for the treatments has grown back and on Wednesday she frolicked around, chasing a roll of tape.

Teller worked two years training Bella, who has gone out on 60 assignments in her nearly six years on the job, earning her the nickname ``Wonder Dog.'' She's so popular, the black-and-white canine even has her own home page on the department's Web site, www.lafd.org.

``Border collies are extremely smart,'' Teller said. `'I've never worked with a smarter breed.''

Teller, a Simi Valley resident and former animal health technician, voluntarily took it upon herself 15 years ago to train dogs. Bella is her second search dog.

``I like working with dogs and helping people,'' said Teller, who is a member of Los Angeles Search Dogs, a nonprofit all-volunteer group that uses members' own vehicles, dogs and equipment to look for people.

Teller, who received Bella when the dog was an 8-week-old pup, is training Bella's son, Twister, and grandson, Tuxedo, to take over the job when the canine retires in two years.

``She has become near and dear to our hearts,'' said Humphrey, the department spokesman. ``There's something about firefighters and dogs. And we are especially fond of dogs that are white with black spots.''

DONATIONS

-- Tax-deductible donations to help Bella can be sent to the following address. Be sure to include the account number on the check or money order, made payable to: Search Dog Fund, Account No. 60130

Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union, PO Box 60890, Los Angeles, CA 90060.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Firefighter Deresa Teller of Station 104 in Winnetka trained Bella the search-and-rescue dog herself and pays part of the heroic border collie's medical bills out of her own pocket.

(2 -- color) Bella has gained fame for her rescue exploits as far away as Oklahoma City, where she helped find survivors of the bombing, and rides in a car personalized just for her.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

Box: DONATIONS (See text)