Obituaries

Stella girl, as we called her, served a greater purpose than most dogs on the planet in just 8 years. Stella was an impulse decision me and my new boyfriend made in college. We weren't planning on getting a puppy, and we certainly weren't sure what would come of it, but her eyes connected with ours' in a way that made it all seem clear. Four years later, I married that boyfriend, and we can say with confidence that Stella is the reason we are married.

She taught us so many things, but here are a few:

- There is not a more beautiful sight than a big, goofy, smiling pitbull with a wiggle but. We have since gone on to sponsor and volunteer at pitbull rescues. She turned so many people into pitty fans with that wiggle butt.

- When you love something more than anything in the world, there is no length you won't go to to make them happy. Our lives revolved around making Stella smile. Being her mom was my absolute greatest joy.

- The power of a dog's love cannot be understated. Stella was my mom's companion during her cancer journies, my husband's best friend during his unemployment, and my therapy dog when I battled the worst of my anxiety issues. She was by no means a Velcro dog, but when she knew she was needed, she would not leave your side.

Her loss is indescribable to us, but I have so much peace knowing our "impulse purchase" changed the lives of so many. Stella lived a life full of profound purpose for 8 years, and while I would have done anything for 8 more, her work was done. Our angel is looking over us, and when we meet again I will smother her with kisses until she runs away from me, embarrassed, as she has done her whole life 🙂