Hi all. I’m very sad and sorry to tell you that that our Labrador Stella crossed over the rainbow this past Monday, July 20. The degenerative spinal disease she had for the past year+ had progressed over last weekend and we had to put her down.
She had recently turned 14 a few weeks ago and we wished she could have been with us forever. It is crushing to be without her now … as she was our North Star, our Matriarch, the boss and leader of the house. It is empty and quiet without her … though our second dog Willow is trying to help us mend our broken hearts. It’ll be a long while.
It was a bit excruciating as I had to officiate at the junior provincial tennis tournament this past week a couple hours away, while my husband took Stella to the vet. I was able to say goodbye to her before I left, but it was difficult to be at the event to say the least. I somehow made it through and now I’m back home missing her like crazy.
Stella was involved in so many activities with us including: hiking up mountains, cross-country skiing, swimming, and daily errands, walks, and vacation trips. In her heyday, she was a very athletic dog and one of the fastest ball retrievers at the parks in town. She was a snow dog too and could find any ball under the snow no matter where. We have thousands of photos of her but here in this post are just a few.
I know I wrote about her many times on the blog over the years and many of you liked seeing pictures of her. When we got her as a puppy in September 2012, I wrote about her here and then a month later I updated news of her here. Now here we are 14 years later.
I have shed a lot of tears but know that she had a great life and we gave her as much as we could. She’ll always be in our hearts and with us at home. She was very much loved and will be forever missed. Thank you for your support.
Ps. I wasn’t able to read a wink this past week, but I am enjoying Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Land on audiobook … while I water the plants and walk.
What a lovely tribute to Stella. I know you are hurting and you have my complete sympathies on your loss. That’s the hardest part about having a pet, a loving furry companion who is so embedded in your life….that’s so hard.
Ear rubs for Willow from me. I know she misses her companion very much. xo
Hi Tina, just a short note, to thank you for being there and your support. I’m trying to stay strong, and will talk with you soon. Your notes have been helpful.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have experienced having to let a beloved pet go many times in my long years. It never gets any easier, in fact I would say it gets harder. All those animals still live in my mind and each of them comes to visit me at odd moments when I think of them and remember something they did. Take comfort in knowing that Stella loved you and that she had a good life and will always be alive in your memory.
Thanks Dorothy. I really appreciate your words. It is helpful to know she was happy and had a good full life for a dog. If only dogs could live longer. But she is still with us continually. Thx.
I am so sorry to hear about Stella. I never met her but I felt I knew her from your posts and photos. And Stella did have a great life and you made that great life possible. You were lucky to have each other.
Thanks so much Kathy. Yes we were very lucky to have Stella. She was special …. and even our neighbor in the city just told me: “she was the best dog I ever met,” which was sweet. I appreciate your words.
What a lovely tribute! I’m sorry for your loss. Stella was a sweetheart and I enjoyed pouring over her pictures whenever you posted about her. She will be dearly missed here and at home, I’m sure. Sending love and hugs to you and family. Willow must be feeling down too. I hope Willow can make you feel a bit better.
Thanks Carmen, I really appreciate your kind words. We will try to remember all the good things and what joy she brought us. She was a special dog … just going to take some time. Sort of the end of an era …. It’s good to have Willow who we can squeeze often. Thx for being here each week.
Oh, Sue, I am so sorry to hear about Stella. She seemed like such a wonderful dog, and I am sure there is a huge hole in your family right now. A dog’s presence in a house feels like it will always just be there.
Thanks Helen, you’re so right …. it is a big hole without her … though her presence does feel like it’s here in ways. She was a very special dog and I dont think there will ever be one like her. We’ll squeeze Willow for comfort … and you squeeze your new puppy. Thanks.
I am so so sorry to hear about Stella’s passing on. I was just thinking of Stella today and wondering how she was doing.
I can’t even think of the words to say. I know you and your husband are grateful for all the time you had with her. Thank you so much for including all those photos.
Hi Tracy, thanks so much for your words. I know Stella wanted to keep being with us … it’s just too sad dogs don’t live as long. Her body gave out though her mind was there … she was very special. We were very lucky to have her. It’ll take some time. Thanks for thinking of her.
Oh, I am so sorry! I know how much you will miss her, as will Willow who must be so perplexed. She is such a beautiful dog – yellow labs always have such nice faces.
Thanks Constance for your words. We’re all trying to get used to her now being here. It’s tough. She was very beautiful and she had many facial expressions, lol. She was special and our neighbor in the city just told me: “she was the best dog I ever met,” which was so sweet. We were so lucky to have her.
I’m so VERY sorry about Stella! She had such a sweet face and so full of personality. She definitely had a fun and wonderful life with you guys.
Thanks Jinjer, I really appreciate your words. And you’re right … we had a lot of fun with Stella over the past decade. Such joy & activities with her! So we can take comfort in that. I know that you too recently lost Marilyn your cat … so can relate with loss & heartbreak … Perhaps we remember how lucky we were to be with them …. and that their presence in memories are still with us. Thx
So sorry to hear about Stella! She was a lovely dog and clearly was beloved by you all.
Thanks Marg. Yes she was a great dog and very special. I appreciate your words. We were lucky to have her and she was much loved.
She was such a sweetheart! I’m so sorry she’s gone. I’m glad you still have Willow around to help you mourn. Sending you hugs!
Thanks Lark for your kind words. Stella was a sweetheart and it’ll take some time — still a bit shaky without her here …. but Willow is getting a lot of hugs and squeezes and she seems to be doing better than we are lol. Thanks!
Oh, Susan, I am so, so sorry that Stella came to the end of her life. Sigh. I know it was hard to make that decision, but she did have a good, good life. Our daughter and son-in-law have had to make this decision a number of times over the years for their pups. Recently, it was Max. Know that you will give Willow an extra hug and know that we are all thinking of you guys and sending love and hugs your way. Take care, friend!
Thanks Kay. Yes that decision is the hardest of all. Her mind was there but her body had given out. My husband knew better than I did … as I was not mentally capable to pull the plug. I wanted her to last longer. I appreciate your words and letting me know that your daughter & SIL have been through this. Willow is getting many hugs and squeezes. Appreciate your words so much.
Susan, I am so sad about your loss of the beautiful Stella. I’m glad you have so many wonderful memories of her. Thanks for sharing the photos and recollections of Stella with us.
Thanks Deb. Yes so many memories over the years. It is odd to think her life spanned the time I’ve been on this blog … and was the first dog of my husband & mine together starting our married life in 2010. She was very special and literally quite a ball. Appreciate your words.
Oh! I’m sooo sorry, Susan! My heart aches thinking about your loss. One thing about loving our pets so much is that it is “crushing” to lose them. What a beautiful memorial you’ve written here!
Thanks so much Rachel. I know you are very close to your cats and can relate to how much they are to being family. It is crushing to lose them. We need to remember the joy & love they gave us and how lucky we were to have them in our lives. It’s just the absence that is so very hard. But there are many memories and they are in our hearts. I appreciate your words.
Oh, Susan, I am so very sorry! This is a beautiful tribute to Stella… sending you a virtual hug.
Thanks JoAnn. Very tough without her … we will heal eventually. Just a shock to the system … after having her so long. She was a very special dog. Willow is getting many hugs. I’m glad I could write some things down about Stella … to get to the heart of the matter. I appreciate your words.
David and I are so sorry to hear about Stella. We’re thinking of you both and sending love at this sad time. Jillann
Thanks Jillann. I really appreciate your words. It is tough and I know you two knew how crazy we were all these years about Stella. All the activities and places and time we spent. She was one of the first (and very best) things Robert & I got together when we married in 2010, lol. She was a snowball of fun. Thanks to you & David for thinking of us now.
I’m so deeply sorry to hear about Stella. What a beautiful and faithful friend for so many years. Even when it is their time, it never is your time to let go. But we do what we do for love. My vet once said that letting go when a beloved animal is in pain is the greatest gift we can give — even though it is the hardest.
I wish I could give you a big hug. Instead, wishes for peace and for healing. Thank you for sharing your photos and memories.
Thanks Jeanie … I really appreciate your kind words. Very true … losing a faithful animal and friend like Stella is the hardest pain …. I’m still trying to come to grips with it … but with time it will come. Thanks.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope your memories of happy days with her provide you with some comfort.
Thanks Shelleyrae …. for your words. Yes I think I need to remember all the great times with her and how filled & good her life was with us. Her absence is sort of excruciating now … but hopefully that will ease with more time. Appreciate your note.
She looks adorable on the photos. I am so sorry for your loss. Take good care of yourself and each other.
Thanks Stargazer. Yeah she was adorable … it is a very hard loss. I appreciate you stopping by & your words. And so glad you posted lately on your site. Hope it’s been a good year for you.
I am tearing up just reading about the loss of your beloved Stella. She was a beauty and such a loving friend. Peace to you as you grieve your loss.
Thanks Jane … She was a beauty and I was not *ready* to lose her. I guess we never are. It’s a very difficult loss and an awful shock. I appreciate your words.
As I wrote in my earlier message to you, I am so very sorry about Stella. I know you and Robert are heartbroken, and miss her terribly. She looks like such a sweet dog in all of the photos you shared here. I wonder how Willow is doing without her. I know animals grieve, too. Your love for Stella reminds me of mine for our Annie-dog. (I don’t know why I always think of her as “Annie-dog.” It’s not like we called her that.) She was my “heart” dog and absolutely irreplaceable.
Sending hugs and love to you and Robert, Susan. You gave Stella the best life.
Thanks Lesley … I really appreciate your note here & on email. Every bit helps when something like this happens. Just a terrible shock to the system … that she is no longer here. I need to come to grips with it. She had been with us a long time. It’ll take time. She did have a great life and that is comforting. Thx ! I’m sure you know as with your dog Annie.
I’m so sorry that I’m reading this post so belatedly! I have loved reading about Stella and everything that she meant to you and your family. Having grieved many beloved dogs over the years of our 41-year marriage, I must say that there’s nothing more soothing, nothing more consoling, and eventually, yes, nothing more fun than reeling special stories and dog moments in their lives. We laugh, and we cry…
Wishing you hugs and dog kisses during this time.
Thanks Judith, I really appreciate your words and letting me know. It’s been a weird transition now but trying to manage as best we can. But we have a lot of great photos of Stella and memories & stories and she lived a full happy life so taking some comfort in that. It’s good honoring her just remembering all the good times and activities. I seem to see her everywhere. It’ll take a while. I appreciate it.
14 years is a hell of a run, especially for a dog that was still active enough to hike and ski.
Thanks Plinko. I take comfort in knowing she lived a full life for the Lab size dog she was. She was active for much of it and happy too. Though it’s still hard that she is not here … she was very special. thanks.