If you’ve followed GRIN for a few years, you may remember a very special Golden named Deena. Today, she is known as Stella — and her life looks very different from the one she was living when she first came into rescue.
Deena’s Journey to GRIN
Deena was found on the side of a road by a Good Samaritan on one of the coldest nights of the year, just before Christmas. This kind soul reached out to No Pawz Left Behind, who stepped in to get her the emergency care she desperately needed. Soon after, they reached out to GRIN to assist with her continued care and treatment.
Upon examination by our veterinary partner, it was clear this sweet soul had been through A LOT. Likely a discarded mill dog, Deena was extremely shy and timid, emaciated, and had very limited mobility. She was so shut down at the vet that she would only stand when someone lifted or propped her up.
X-rays revealed even more of her heartbreaking past. There was evidence that she may have previously been shot in the neck and head, and her limited mobility raised concerns about possible neurological issues.
After spending several days improving at our vet partner, Deena was transferred to a loving foster family where she could decompress, regain her strength, and await a neurology consultation.
And slowly, this frightened girl began to blossom.
Her appetite improved. She began standing and walking as she became more comfortable with her surroundings. A neurologist recommended a structured care plan of rest, good nutrition, and physical therapy exercises to help improve her mobility. Before long, Deena was following her foster mom around the house, going outside to potty, and even navigating the stairs.
Despite everything she may have endured, her sweet Golden spirit continued to shine through.
But Deena had one more BIG surprise in store for GRIN.
While in foster care, she unexpectedly gave birth to two puppies — a boy and a girl! Her pregnancy had not been far enough along to appear on her previous X-rays, so little Pirate and Belle, affectionately known as “Deena’s Darlings,” came as quite the surprise.
Deena proved to be a wonderful mama, and she and her puppies continued to thrive in foster care.
After everything this brave girl had survived, it was finally time for her to have the life she deserved.
Deena Becomes Stella
In April 2023, Deena found her forever home and became Stella.
It, of course, took her a bit of time to get used to her new surroundings. But within a few months, she blended in with ease.
Stella, being a plus 5-year-old girl when adopted, didn’t require a fenced-in yard. Her home has a large backyard that is adjacent to a farm. She is in a neighborhood with all the normal surroundings of sidewalks, manicured lawns and kids playing, but really enjoys at times sitting outside in her backyard, hooked up to her run, watching nature. She has been known to bark at squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, deer, cats and wild turkey.
Stella is very much a routine-oriented Golden. Her mom works from home during “normal” hours. She knows when it’s mom’s lunchtime and that the end of the workday is approaching because she appears in her office about 15 minutes before lunch and the end of the day. It’s her way of telling her mom that it is time to punch out.
She spends most of the morning and afternoon sleeping on her bed in the living room, which is one of three scattered about the house.
Stella is a people-person Golden! She loves her human sister Katie and gets excited when she is told that she is coming over for a visit. On arrival, Stella jumps and welcomes Katie with exuberance. Katie dishes out many “scritches” and hugs, which Stella loves. They have a special bond.
Stella goes on daily walks in the late afternoon. Along her route there are three dogs she knows. As she walks by, she looks at each house wondering if they are outside or not. During the warm months, they are outside many times with their owners and she always wants to go and see them. She still looks for them during the cold winter months when no one is sitting outside.
During her walks, if someone is walking by or in a yard as she passes, they know that she loves to be petted, so she gets a lot of extra attention.
Stella has a simple life. She loves to play her retriever game with “Lamb Chop” and her “Hair Ball Cinnamon Whisky” toy, makes sure she gets her snack when her mom eats dinner, and enjoys lying next to mom’s chair at night watching TV.
She is a sweet, good girl who provides so much love and happiness to others — especially her mom.
And perhaps that simple life is what makes Stella’s story so special.
The frightened, emaciated Golden who was once found alone on the side of a road on one of the coldest nights of the year now spends her days napping on one of her three beds, reminding her mom when it’s time to stop working, visiting neighborhood friends, watching wildlife in her backyard, playing with her favorite toys, and curling up beside the person she loves at the end of the day.
For some rescue dogs, happily ever after doesn’t need to be extraordinary.
Sometimes, it looks exactly like this: safe, loved, comfortable, and finally home.
