Stella

Our beautiful senior Alumna Stella (formerly Estelle) crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 13.  Her family is devastated and as many have also experienced, they had to make the incredibly difficult decision to let her go once cancer had taken over her body.  She let them know it was time.

They adopted Stella in 2021 at the age of 12. When they saw her picture on social media, they knew they wanted her and could provide her with a ton of love for her remaining days.  In reminiscing about her first days in their home, her mom said she explored the yard inch by inch and stared across the pond as if it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And when her human brother came home from school that day, she was SO excited – she must have had a boy in her prior life because her face LIT UP!  She also relished in destroying all of her toys, begging for her meals for at least an hour before her normal dinner time, and her tail always gave an adorable spin-wag whenever her family came home.

From her mom Lisa, “Her brother Cooper was her favorite…by far, but she followed me everywhere and always tried to protect me from her wild and crazy brother Lincoln and sister Kenzie. And she loved to kiss on Daddy and show him all of her toys when he arrived home from traveling.  But best of all, she had the sweetest soul!  She always just looked right into our eyes…and we always felt like she was saying “Thank you for this life.”  Our hearts are broken.  It’s so hard to say goodbye to this sweet lady. As hard as this is, I thank God that He trusted us with the last year of her life.  I feel at peace knowing that we gave her all the love that we possibly could.  I also feel at peace knowing that it was her time as the cancer had taken over her body and she was just in so much pain.  I also know that my mom and our sweet Vizsla Bella (along with all of our other family and pets that have passed) will be waiting at Heaven’s door to meet her and give her lots of welcoming love.  My advice…as hard as it is to say good-bye…adopt a senior dog or cat. Every moment is worth it. Good-bye sweet Stella…you will be in our hearts forever.  Thank you for allowing us to adopt this sweet soul...she made our family complete, and there's going to be a huge hole without her.  We will miss her always.  Please pray for us."

Grief and love are conjoined, you don’t get one without the other.
All I can do is love her, and love the world,
Emulate her by living with daring and spirit and joy.
Jandy Nelson