WHEN a eight-year-old is asked what they want for their birthday, few expect the answer to be dog biscuits.

But for self-confessed animal lover Bella Howells, from Bicester, biscuits, chew toys and dog bowls were top of the list.

The youngster asked friends and family to swap her presents for doggy donations for her ninth birthday, on October 14, and wanted to donate them all to Ardley Rescue Kennels.

Bella said: "I love dogs - they are my most favourite thing in the entire world.

"I hate to see any dogs that don't have a home.

"So I decided to give my presents to the animals instead, it is more important the dogs have them."

The generous pupil from Bure Park Primary School hosted a puppy-themed party to round off her birthday celebrations and was delighted with the donations she unwrapped.

Dad Paul Howells said: "Bella had heard a few stories of dogs being mistreated which really planted the seed for her fundraising for Ardley Rescue Kennels.

"She had started by selling lavender with her sister Poppy, 9, out the front of our house to raise money.

"Then recently she read about another child donating birthday presents to a charity elsewhere in the country and asked us if she could do the same.

"It was quite nice as we opened the presents at home, I wondered what her reaction might be.

"But half way through opening she unwrapped some dog biscuits and was like 'wow look at the size of this one'.

"She was excited for every present."

As a thank you from the rescue centre, near Bicester, Bella, sister Poppy and brother William,12, were able to meet the kennels newest additions as they dropped off donations.

Five cuddly companions had been born three and a half weeks ago at the centre after the mother came in as a stray.

Bella enjoyed a cuddle with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier pups cradled in her arms, with one cheeky canine called Jimbob taking her eye.

She said: "It has been a special day, Jimbob is my favourite because he was the bossy one."

The staffie litter, which are still being bottle fed every three hours, is not the only pups being looked after at the rescue.

Another litter of seven terriers were also born recently and Bella was given the pleasure of naming them.

She considered Disney's Frozen themed names but needed a bit more time to make her decision.

Ardley Rescue Centre owner Annabelle Pottle said: "It was such a lovely thing to do, both the lavender and donating her birthday presents.

"Bella is an amazing little girl, donations always mean a lot to us and Bella did something extra special."

The rescue is currently looking for donations of puppy food and pads before the pups will hopefully be rehomed when they are old enough.

For more information contact 01869 346307