Presents

Braefield's Wish Upon A Star

Sire: CH Kyon's True Patriot Love 

 Dam: Sherhaven Trilogy of Braefield CD, WC, JH

Whelped: November 21, 2003 - March 26, 2008

Stella

Elizabeth & Stella

Achievements:
This evening a received this email, one that I knew one day would come, one that I dreaded receiving. Our Trio's sweet Stella has passed away at a far too young age. Our hearts go out to Stella's owners and to all of those people that met her and couldn't help but fall in love with her. She was a wonderful, girl who was very deeply loved and cared for. When you look up to the heavens, and "Wish Upon A Star", think of Stella.

Just a note to let everyone know that our sweet, sweet, Stella passed away this morning. She was doing great over the past several months - her lungs looked good, she was on the lowest dosage of lasix ever and was loving her walkies every morning. Over the last six weeks she started to decline in energy to the point where about 10 days ago I thought she might be at the end of the line. She was not able to do much more than go in and out of the house, had gained about 20 pounds in two months and refused to go on her beloved morning walks. I took her to Guelph and they said her lungs looked clear and they recommended she be tested for hypothyroidism. Her regular vet in Oakville suggested that her thyroid appeared to be functioning low and so we put her on a thyroid hormone which seemed to really start helping her over the past week. Her energy levels were up and she seemed to be gaining in strength. This morning she went out and spent some time in the yard and when she came in she was panting quite hard. She hadn't been exerting herself, just sitting out there taking in the beautiful March sunshine, enjoying the yard for the last time. She walked over to her bed and had a heart attack. I was on the phone with Guelph talking to her cardiologist and trying to decide whether to take her in when I realized what was happening and was able to hold her in my arms while she passed. I didn't want her to go but I know there couldn't have been a better way - she was surrounded by her people and her brother Cob in the place she loved most, her little bed.
Stella was an incredibly sweet, gentle and beautiful Golden. Older people and kids were her specialty and she adored everyone she met. Our walks were her social hour where she would charm anyone who walked by into petting her and was outraged if anyone passed without paying their "love toll". I remember so many walks where she made people's days by bounding up to them to express her affection - and to get a few pets in return of course.
Stella was also was determined, confident and independent. I gave up on obedience at six months when we changed the McCann dog training jingle to "my dog has been to McCann's, she told them where to stick their commands". Anyone who has been frustrated by a dog running in the opposite direction when they call her name would not want to be Stella's owner. I grew to respect her independence rather than to expect her to behave in a certain manner and started referring to myself as a "primary shareholder" in Stella stock, rather than an "owner" in control of her. I really had no choice - it was how she insisted it was going to be. I invested in a dog who loved nothing better than to be close to her people, who adored being petted, who disliked the cold, hated the rain, loved the swimming pool, was exhilarated by chasing rabbits in the yard and sniffing all the glorious smells of the outdoors (and, yuck, eating rabbit poop). I shouted "STELLLLAAAAA!" 'til my throat was hoarse some days when she barked to get in, barked to get out and barked because "no one is petting my head". We joked that we should get a mechanical arm and that would make her most happy as no one could satisfy her urge to be petted. This was a dog that needed to be touched and loved 24/7...and we did just that.
She was also a dog that would not go "potty" unless I said the word 70 times. Often it was too windy or too cold for her to focus and she would just come running back in the house after I had suited up in my winter gear and stood shivering out in the yard practically begging her to "GO PEE PEE". I learned to let go of my frustration and realize "that's just Stella" knowing full well I would be awoken at 4 am when she realized "oops, I really have to go". She bossed Cob around mercilessly - we never hesitated to tease him with "aren't you glad you have a sister?" as she took whatever he had and then, growling, shoved it back in his face, daring him to tug of war with her. On his birthday two weeks ago, within minutes she had confiscated his new toy, was chewing on his nylabone we bought him, and had kicked him off the new bed that mom had given to him that day. Last night when I went to get a glass of milk at 5 am, they were laying as they usually did, back to back, sleeping close together. I think they enjoyed their interactions, conspiring to "jerk it up" at the back fence, joining in with the other dogs in the neighbourhood at harassing the mail carrier and anyone else who dared to walk down the foot path. Stella took an enormous amount of time, energy and money and I gladly spent all of it to have each extra day with her.
Stella was born with two heart defects and when she went into heart failure at 8 months I was told repeatedly that she might make it another year, two if I was lucky. She celebrated her fourth birthday in November. I was fortunate to work at home the last few years and was able to spend almost every moment of every day with her and we packed a lot of loving into a short span of time. Although I know we did everything we could there is still a huge void that she has left in my life. Practically speaking our days were structured around her pill schedule and needing to take her out to the bathroom frequently because of the diuretics. Visits to Guelph were every six to eight weeks and each visit lasted a good 3 to 5 hours while the vet students learned from her condition. Every single one of them fell in love with her. She was incredible as she let them poke and prod and listen to heart so that they could help other dogs with her condition. Everyone who met Stella commented on how sweet and how beautiful she was. Emotionally speaking my days were structured around making sure she got all of the loving she needed. Going between her and Cob and the kids was my daily routine and I feel so bad that I have lost that anchor point. I want to do more to make her feel happy and loved and I can no longer do that. I guess that is what grief is.
I know this probably seems overly dramatic to those of you who've never had a pet or perhaps even to those of you who have, but I'm not someone who opens up much about my feelings and I needed to share with everyone just how much I love my dog and how much I feel her loss. It is not exaggeration to say that having Stella has made me a better person in so many ways. Most importantly I have learned to love and appreciate people and animals for who they are, not who you want them to be. And also to show those you love that you love them, every chance you get because each day could be your last.
Last night I was out in the yard breathing in the warm air, spring seemed just around the corner. I hugged Stella and thanked her for bringing me out to look at the stars. Even if it was to say "poop, poop". She never did poop.
Stella taught me to "begin each day as if you were doing it on purpose" and to "be the kind of person your dog thinks you are".
I hope you'll all send her some loving thoughts in lieu of a pet on the head.
Elizabeth
 

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