Meet Stella:
Stella is what I like to call my Christmas Miracle. She came into my life on Friday, December 23rd. I had been keeping up with her on Facebook through the City of Abbeville's Animal Services Page. I had spoke with the Animal Patrol Officer on a few different occasions, checking on her progress as far as any interest from other individuals.
I had ALWAYS wanted a small dog, but just did not know if the timing was right. I am single, working full time 8-5 Monday-Friday, living in an apartment. Was this right for me? A dog? So much responsibility? So many questions, concerns. I often doubted myself thinking that if I had so many questions, then it was obvious that the timing wasn't right.
I work for the City, so I knew that the Animal Shelter was going to be closed Friday, Dec. 23rd and Monday, Dec. 26th for the Christmas Holidays. I also knew that Stella was still at the shelter. Leaving work Thursday evening, I was heartbroken knowing that a sweet innocent dog was going to be all alone at the Shelter for days on end (mind you it was also forecasted to rain and be cold throughout the break). I literally called Chris, the Animal Patrol Officer, at 5:15 that Thursday night. My initial thought was just to get her out of the Shelter and "foster" her throughout the Holidays. I had no intention of formally adopting her right away...I got his voicemail. Thursday night, I finally got to speak with him and he said that it would be perfectly fine to take her for the holiday and to see if it would be a match.
Friday morning, I took a drive to the Shelter where I picked up Stella. From there I took her to my sisters house (I couldn't take her to my apartment due to a deposit and filling out paperwork). I also took her to the vet at Emeral City Animal Hospital, where she needed shots and a check up since she had no records or history. While at the Vet, I was informed that Stella is around 8 years old (definitely an oldER dog) and that she has a tumor on her stomache (something that will need to be removed and checked to see if it is indeed cancer). This broke my heart. Again, I had many things running through my mind. Is this something I can do? Can I pay for surgeries and medicial care that Stella needs? Will I have enough time to spend with her, to love her, to care for her? After those thoughts crossed through my mind, I began to think about what would happen if I did NOT keep her. Will anyone adopt her? Will anyone love her? Will they put her to sleep? That last question replayed over and over in my head. It was a hard decision and one that I shed many tears over, speaking to my mom about it a lot. I needed guidance, help. I didn't know if I could make a decision that big by myself.
I finally reached a conclusion, thanks to my mom's help and advice. I would keep Stella and love her and give her the life she deserves for as long as she lives. If she turns out to have cancer, I will love her and be there for her.
She is my heart and soul and she was one of the hardest decisions of my life, thus far. But, one thing is for sure and that is: I have no regrets and she has been the best decision of my life.
This is Stella and Mia (my best friends dog) at the park
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