STELLA
Age: 5
Weight: 43
State: NH
Small Children Under 4?: yes
Children Over 4?: yes
Separation Anxiety?: no
Neutered/UTD?: yes/yes
Microchipped?: no
Other Dogs?: depends on dog
Cats?: no
Crate Trained?: yes
House Trained?: yes
Obedience Trained?: no
Leash Trained?:
Attending Obedience At Foster Home?: No
Adoption Donation?: $200
UPDATE 1/22/05 - I can't believe we got Stella a whole year ago from SCBR. Drove
from
NYC to New Hampshire and boy was she worth the trip. I've added more
photos to her Photo Album here. I've got to get one tomorrow of her
in the over 1 ft of snow that has fallen so far today. She does NOT
like getting cold and wet but at least she finally accepts that the
fleece coat does help keep her warm. When we first got it she
attempted to hide it from us - wish I had the camera handy for that
hilarious moment.
UPDATED 5/1/04 - Stella is a loveable active 5 yr old who as a typical boxer thinks she's
just a pup. She has bursts of energy followed by a quick nap. As I wrote last week, we've
had a major problem with her reaction to the mailman and the unfortunate bitting episode.
So, we've now had our first visit from a trainer who seems wonderful (comes highly
recommended). The name of the game is getting total control - have her follow commands
every time. The biggy will be a 1/2 hour down stay no matter what the distraction. We are
faithfully following her instructions and doing the "homework" she left. We want to make
this happend - she's become a real part of lives.
I think that rushing her into a group class situation when we had just gotten her was not a
good idea. The 10 sessions were very stressful both for her and for us. In retrospect we
should have given her a few weeks just being with us and settling in, and then used a
private trainer. She's been bounced around so much already in her life that she's very
anxious with new situations and new people. This is getting better (except for the poor
mailman) but it's taken 3 months. My goal is to get her started with agility and/or therapy
dog training but this can't happen until she can be calm and social with other dogs and
people.
UPDATED 2/1/04 - Stella has been adopted!
1/20/04 Stella is pending adoption.
1/19/04 It has been a little over a week since I have written anything for Stella "Ella".
In the last 4-5 days she has suddenly realized, it would seem, that Boxingham Palace is
pretty good digs for an otherwise homeless girl.
She has progressed to cuddle time on the bed with Paco and Esmee with no arguements
over who cuddles with whom. She now asks for her tummy to be rubbed and adores the
massage that guarantees a trance like demeanour in any dog that gets the patented
rub-down.
Since it was so very cold, Harry and I actually moved the chickens into the basement to
avoid death by frostbite. Rooster has been crowing for 2 mornings and the girls have been
clucking and laying in their temporary home, all watched carefully by Stella. If she doesn't
have her favourite red rubber toy in her mouth, she chomps and drools at the sight-poor
girl, no roast chicken for you, Miss Stella.
Stella would be a lovely addition to the home of an semi, or retired couple where she can
ride along on the errands and be the centre of someone's world.
We are going to begin her gentle leader training tommorrow..more to follow.
1/6/04 Stella has made incredible progress!
She has been successfully introduced to Paco and has spent the last two days learning from
his example. As of this moment she is basking by the slider in the dining room in the sun
with her new surrogate brother, bodies touching.
Stella is still learning how to instigate acceptable play with other dogs. She nudges with her
nose and is quite the lightweight champ as far as boxing with her front paws.
We continue to correct her mounting behaviour and she is beginning to realize that jumping
on the front or rear end of Big P isn't ladylike :)
Stella this morning began playing with one of her two favourite rubber chewy toys and is
learning to "give" so that the toy can be thrown again. Of course this is accomapanied with
lots of vocalization but is not aggression. Ergo, we feel Stella would be fine with another
dog, preferrably another Boxer since they understand their "play mode".
Stella has not had a nose to nose visit with Esmee yet since they are both Alpha females
we do not want to start off on the wrong paw, and Miss Stella has had to assimilate many
changes recently. Baby steps.
We are so proud of her progress. We did crate her last night, so her bedroom door could
be left open. She whined and complained for about 15 minutes, then quieted down. She
continues to have perfect housetraining manners, and her appetite has begun to even out.
Of course, she has to do the Boxer walk and eat routine, dribbling kibble along the way,
they are such idocyncratic dogs.
Stella has no food agression, no touch sensitivities, enjoys massage, is truly an obedient
little girl. Indeed, she may have been a Harrier Jump Jet in a previous life, she has the abiity
to leap about 5ft in the air from a standing position, this is a Frisbee champion if ever I saw
one:)
We have decided to do the litmus cat test this weekend. More to come later..
12/24/03 It was unseasonably warm and I wanted Stella to have an outing, so she came
shopping with me. We dropped the kids off at the movies and went to the bank, the music
store, Sam's club, and the grocery store. Stella waited so patiently in the car, never getting
into the groceries or doing anything naughty even though the lady at the bank didn't give her
a doggie biscuit.
She did get some surprised second glances and one nice lady even waved and smiled at
her...suppose it's the ears?
All day, I was impressed at how Stella is the perfect travelling companion, patient and
well-behaved, even when it's boring!! She stuck her head out the window a couple of
times, but usually just sat shot-gun.
You should call now...she needs a great forever home!
12/18/03 We are getting to know Stella more and more as she settles in...what a
wonderful little girl!! She is the only foster we have had who has NOT HAD ONE
ACCIDENT in the house, not even a drop. She is slowly getting used to our big
galoophs...they are quite a handful, especially when they are together and doing their
tag-team routine!
I can tell that Stella is sad and misses her famiily. I will look around, notice she is not part
of the gang, and usually find her curled up on the end of my bed, watching the goings on,
nestled in so that all you can see are her wonderful ears sticking up and her big dark eyes.
My heart breaks for her. Her little face is soooo soft.
If ever you were considering a first dog, Stella would be an excellent choice. She could
teach us all a thing or two about patience and forgiveness! She is so sweet and loving,
please call and ask about her today!We are getting to know Stella more and more as she
settles in...what a wonderful little girl!! She is the only foster we have had who has NOT
HAD ONE ACCIDENT in the house, not even a drop. She is slowly getting used to our
big galoophs...they are quite a handful, especially when they are together and doing their
tag-team routine!
I can tell that Stella is sad and misses her famiily. I will look around, notice she is not part
of the gang, and usually find her curled up on the end of my bed, watching the goings on,
nestled in so that all you can see are her wonderful ears sticking up and her big dark eyes.
My heart breaks for her. Her little face is soooo soft.
If ever you were considering a first dog, Stella would be an excellent choice. She could
teach us all a thing or two about patience and forgiveness! She is so sweet and loving,
please call and ask about her today!
12/13/03 Well, what can we say about our little boxer-mix Stella Luna? Her pictures are
worth a thousand words, but I will try anyway. Stella is a much-loved owner surrender,
given to Second Chance because the new baby has severe allergies. Her owner says
"Stella is a people dog and would appreciate all the cuddle time she can get! Please love
her as much as we have." And is is immediately obvious that she is a love bug! She arrived
here in Glenburn just as our out-of-town guests arrived and she quickly charmed her way
through the crowd!!
As you can see, Stella's ears are quite a conversation starter...we were afraid that the wind
would catch them and she would go sailing away like a kite!!! For some reason, her ears
spend a lot of time sticking straight up!!! She is a beautiful dark brindle with white flashes
on her feet, chest, and soft, little face. She has a decent (not hyper) energy level, and a
charming, comical personality.
Stella had a very rough start in life, she was found in an abandoned building, chained to a
radiator with her throat cut. She was badly beaten. Even so, she still LOVES people and
approaches everyone with trust and affection. She needs a gentle and loving home with
lots of treats and peanut butter.
She likes kids and grown-ups and seems to be willing to touch noses with our own canine
galoophs. I will update as we continue the doggie meet n'greet over the next few days.
The great things we have noticed about Stella in just one day...she rides well, she sheds
little, she crates-up, she sits, she takes treats gently, she is completely housebroken (always
important!!!), she doesn't seem to mind the cold weather, she is darned cute, and she is a
CUDDLE BUG!!! Please consider a beautiful little big-eared mix for your special love!!