A Celebration of Stella’s Life RIP 2001 - 2014

A tribute to Stella, my angel (sorry it’s so long)

She came to me unwanted.  My son, Neil, who always wanted a dog, bought Stella from a back yard breeder when he was 19years old while Jim and I were on holiday. I was fuming as I knew he wasn’t mature enough to take care or look after a young puppy.
As soon as I saw her, I was smitten . She turned our world upside down.  For the better of course and  I was the one she bonded with the most as I worked part time and spent the most time with her.

Very little training was needed as she only wanted to please me.  She learnt everything very quickly and we were very proud that she socialised well with all dogs and humans.  She was extremely gentle natured and full of love for all living creatures including cats.  Our next door neighbours cat used to come in regularly and they would sit by the fire together and wash/lick each other.  When we were out and met a cat, she would staffie dance in front of them and never chased them.

At 9 months old she was diagnosed with a luxating patella (kneecap dislocation) and had to have surgery.  She recovered well but within another 9 months, the same happened with her other knee. Dark times indeed but again she recovered well.
We had to restrict her walking but she loved her new found exercise - digging on the beach.

Pup Idol - at 15 months old I entered her in a national competition run by ‘The Sunday People’ to find a pup idol.   Low and behold she was one of six finalist’s. She didn’t win.  She was runner up but we had a fab day out in Birmingham.. It was good fun and  she enjoyed it too even though it was a 3 hour journey by train both ways.  Good as gold as usual.

My son left home and wanted to take Stella  to live with him and his girlfriend.  No way was she leaving Jim and I !!

We had wonderful holidays with Stella in this country and she was quite well travelled but  decided to buy a static caravan in the country.  Our little bolt-hole for the three of us.  She adored that place. So peaceful.

Then, over the years  two grandchildren came along and Stella was very close to both of them, especially the first, Ella.  Then Tyler, Neil’s dog, came along and they got on well together too.

Her later years were filled with love and happiness that is hard to describe.  She often sat looking at us with her regal, noble face full of  contentment.  I will never forget the day we returned from a short 4 day break in June (she was staying with my sister) and I sat next to her on the sofa and she turned to me and put her paws on my shoulders and with her ears back just looked at me with the brightest eyes I have ever seen. With so much love and excitement in her face, it brought tears to my eyes.  I hadn’t seen the intensity of this before.  I wonder now if she thought I wasn’t coming back for her.

I noticed behavioural  changes in her from about early June this year but put it down to old age.  I decided to get her checked over  at the vets and  was shocked to find out my vet thought she had a brain tumour.  That was on the 11th August. After an initial  improvement for a few days she deteriorated and  I slept downstairs with her for five nights.  Her last two days were horrendous. We went through hell.
On the 27th August  we made the painful decision to have her put to sleep and the following day the vet came to the house. She died very peacefully.

Stella was cremated last week and we now have her back home with us.  We are going to scatter her ashes in her favourite places and will keep the rest forever in our home.

Dear God
Please fold your wings around her and let her feel young again.  Please keep her safe and happy until I see her again.. Run free baby girl, My angel, My Stella

What a wonderful tribute to Stella, run free beautiful xxxx

RIP Stella run free now

That has me in tears - remember the good times always. She may be gone but never forgotten - I remember you mentioning before about how she appeared whilst you where on holiday......best thing that ever happened huge hugs hun XxXxx

A wonderful tribute to the most gorgeous and "Regal" Stella. She really did fall on all four Paws when your son brought her home and she repaid you in the only way she could, with love and affection and a way about her that couldn't be beaten.

Reading this brought back wonderful memories of my Helen, it's brought tears to my eyes Sheila.

Run Free Stella and show all those waiting for us how special you are.

Tears here now too, run free gorgeous girl and yes Ian "Regal" is very apt. Here Sheila anytime a lovely tribute to your beautiful and loyal girl Xxxx

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Very sorry for your loss and our prayers are with you

that was very moving and a lovely celebration of stella's life,run free stella until you meet again xx

Very emotional, lovely tribute Sheila xxx

Very touching Sheila, run free Stella x

Run free stella xoxoxox

Thanks to all of you for your words of love. It really means a lot to me to know you understand how I feel. It's comforting to know that many of you have shared my pain and my tears.

Stella would have been lovestruck with all of the genuine pure love that you have shown xx

Hope in time things get easier for u sheila .

Oh, Sheila, what a wonderful tribute to your gorgeous girl Stella. She sounds like the best friend everyone wants, and I know the hole she leaves in your lives will be huge.
The end of your tribute brought on a flood, as you lost Stella in the same way we lost Floyd 9 months ago. I felt like my heart had been ripped out, and I missed him dreadfully. It does get easier, honestly, and the good memories will overtake the sadness (though I still have moments!).
I am honoured to have met your Stella, if only briefly.
Huge big hugs to you and all of the family
Lynn and Pete

Oh no! Stella was pin-up girl in the monthly photo competition so recently! Very sorry to hear of your loss. She was an irreplaceable unmistakeable incomparable dog.

Yeahbut - Thankyou so much for your lovely words.  She was definitely a pin up girl. Missing her massively all of the time

Lynn & Pete - Thankyou also for your lovely words.  I have this pain in my heart too.  Feels as if it's been ripped out.  It's comforting to know that this will ease in time but at the moment It's still there every day.

Floyd will be looking after her, I'm sure.  You must have loved him so much. He was a fine looking boy and can understand what you must have gone through when you lost him.

I have seen the new photos of Theia. She is growing up fast and is as beautiful as ever.  Big kisses and hugs to her as I remember when I met her briefly, the staffy kisses from her were gorgeous.  xxxx Love to you all.

Scattered some of Stella's ashes this evening in her very favourite place that she used to dig.......

Aww our beautiful girl, you mummy has written such an amazing memorial to you her very own baby girl, rest easy Stella, run free, gone but not forgotten, until you meet again xxx

Aww lovely photos sheila

Beautiful pictures Sheila.

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl, and that looks like a seafront spot! Perfect!
Floyd was our best mate for 14 wonderful years, and it was just the saddest time. But we remember him with a smile now. He will look after Stella, he was an absolute gentleman, and he will have found some great digging spots!!
And having Theia has helped no end!!
Hope your pain eases soon Sheila. And when you are up to it, dig out all of your old puppy pictures, smile and remember her fondly!!
Lynn x

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To sheila from your friends in the forum

Mia05 wrote:
To sheila and family from your friends in the forum.

I am unable to see this image. Is it my computer?

Not necessarily your computer Sheila, I think Crystal must have moved the image, I cannot view it either

Ahh, ok and thank you Kathy xx

What a gorgeous spot Sheila for Stellas ashes, tears here again only just seen these pics. Why dont you have some of them put into a neclkace then she will be near your heart all the time. Lots of love hun miss you Xxxx

thats a lovely place to lay some of her ashes sheila,i hope time will heal your aching heart,always here for you lovey xx

Sheila I'm so sorry for your list just find out now she was so beautiful and so much loved. R.I.P dear Stella xxxxx

Inez Maria wrote:What a gorgeous spot Sheila for Stellas ashes, tears here again only just seen these pics. Why dont you have some of them put into a neclkace then she will be near your heart all the time. Lots of love hun miss you Xxxx

Inez - fantastic idea, I never thought of that. She's going to be scattered all over the North East soon, as going back to her very very favourite place where she dug (as in the pics), was a huge step for me and Jim. We were there most days in the last five years, so it was very hard to go back but new we just had to. We even returned there this morning and felt very close to her.
Knowing a part of her is there is comforting.

3 weeks tomorrow and was never ever separated from her for more than a week in over 13 years so i'ts devastating still at the moment. Love to you all xxx

There are no words I can type to ease your pain Sheila, having been through this, I know how much it hurts. Please don't be a stranger here, we miss you.

And if you ever want to dog sit, I know of a few that might just take up an offer ... Huge hugs and love.

shegsy wrote:

Inez Maria wrote:What a gorgeous spot Sheila for Stellas ashes, tears here again only just seen these pics. Why dont you have some of them put into a neclkace then she will be near your heart all the time. Lots of love hun miss you Xxxx

Inez - fantastic idea, I never thought of that.  She's going to be scattered all over the North East soon, as going back to her very very favourite place where she dug (as in the pics), was a huge step for me and Jim.  We were there most days in the last five years, so it was very hard to go back but new we just had to.  We even returned there this morning and felt very close to her.
Knowing a part of her is there is comforting.

3 weeks tomorrow and was never ever separated from her for more than a week in over 13 years so i'ts devastating still at the moment.  Love to you all xxx

So glad that gave you a little comfort, its going to take a very long time hun but with that time you will heal but she will always be with you. My friend has a necklace with some of her dog "Harry" in. Its never taken off, it may give you some more comfort aswell. Love lots Xxxx

Feel for you pal but yes now you have a spot where you can go and talk to Stella. Maybe in the future you could plant a wee something near the hole in her memory. Take care of yourself hun xxx

Inez Maria wrote:What a gorgeous spot Sheila for Stellas ashes, tears here again only just seen these pics. Why dont you have some of them put into a neclkace then she will be near your heart all the time. Lots of love hun miss you Xxxx

thats a good idea you can get a piece of glass made from stellas ashes xoxox

They get into your head and heart and never leave, no matter what else happens. I keep a bit of Holly's hair in a tiny name tag container on my key fob with a touch of my own, her photos always make me very proud and sad too, but her influences on me and others are too strong to let that last. They're part of you forever.