By Rusty Surette

Norman, OK (KWTV/CNN) - The sizzling summer heat is driving even animals to look for new places to cool down.

Bella the bulldog is going back home to Blanchard. Of course she looks a lot better now than she did on Sunday when she came in contact with a porcupine near a pool in her own backyard.

"Thank God they were able to get everything out," said her owner, Allison Noles.

Allison and her husband, Jerry, say Bella and their other two dogs got a bit too close for comfort and all three took quills to the face. Bella was the worst, taking in around 500 quills to the face, feet, and mouth.

Vets at the animal emergency center in Norman and Oklahoma City say it's the worst they've ever seen.

"It was devastating. You know these, these animals are our kids and when you see them hurt you can't imagine the pain, the intense pain she had to have been in. It's heartbreaking. It affected the entire family," said Dr. Leonardo Baez.

Doctors say this doesn't happen a lot, but it can, so if it ever happens to one of your pets, the first thing you should try to do is get them immediately to a place like this.

There are still some quills embedded in Bella, and there's a risk for infection.

"Two days after we recommend you feel, or run your hand through it, and see if you find, oh there is one right here," said Dr. Baez.

As we interviewed Bella's doctor, he found one coming out near her eye. He also says these unusual animal encounters may be more common in Oklahoma this year because of the heat.

"I guess because it's so dry we get a lot of animals coming to the pond for the water," he said.

The porcupine and other wildlife have been using the pond in the Noles' backyard as a new source for water.

KWTV/CNN