Stella’s Story
In honor of my beautiful girl’s passing, I’d love to share my sweet Stella’s story:
I was 16 years old and struggling to leave a domestic violence situation when we met. Stella had been mistakenly labeled by the shelter as a senior due to her frail state, facing high risk of euthanasia as a result of her untreated double pneumonia at the time. From the very start, it was apparent how much we needed each other.
Stells overcame an extensive recovery, soon working hard to become Forsyth County School System’s first psychiatric service dog, aiding me in the aftermath of my PTSD and worsened anxiety as a result from my previous circumstances. She became my rock during life’s lowest low, and with a lot of her help, I eventually graduated high school with her at my side.
Our next years consisted of, oddly enough, both of us healing from endometriosis surgeries. We spent a lot of “lazy days” (more like really, really sick days) together here. She recovered from cancer during the same period I underwent my total hysterectomy, and we later celebrated our first mile walk together when both of our recoveries were far enough along.
For 9 years, she has loved me through every medical hardship and every heartbreak. She’s made me laugh every time she’s joined me on my yoga mat and every time her top lip has gotten hung up on her teeth. I’ve been so honored to love her, to be loved by her, and to have experienced her wholehearted loyalty and care. My sweet Stelly girl, thank you.
