Happy birthday Stella

[Mr Kleb]

This one honours an honourary Lab, my ACDx Stella, on her 12th birthday. Long-time members may remember the story. If not, and for newer members, here's the Cliff Notes version.

In late 2003 I lived in Texas and pondered adopting another dog. Twelve year old spanielx Avis and seven year old Labx Moonpie were my companions. I believe dogs generally do well having a companion dog and believed that that adding one would ease the transition when Avis' time came. So I began considering possibilities.

For a number of reasons I wanted, needed, a challenge and the Australian Cattle dog appealed to me. I researched the breed, learned that they can be, well, challenging. Some people I knew had a nine month old ACDx puppy. After some time with her in their home they came to believe she was a poor match. I visited, became acquainted with Stella, stayed a couple nights, liked what I learned, and said I'd think about it for a week. Drove away knowing 'trouble brewing, think Stella is the one.' Next week I drove back, picked her up and brought her home.

We had a few, um, challenges. The ACD needs a job or she gets bored and gives herself one. I did not give Stella one right away so she filled the gap. Shredded a down pillow, disemboweled the couch, shredded magazines and books. It was the job she did on a first edition hardcover novel, ripping the cover off and shredding the first few pages into roughly 1/2 inch by 3 inch strips (kind of inpressive once you think about it) that goaded me into enrolling us into training.

We did beginning and advanced training, an agility class, completed CGC, did a herding evaluation. Our niche, our shared job, became power walks, twice daily, FAST walking with a lot of interaction. I learned she's not a people dog, she's wary of unfamiliar people, and learned how to politely tell people to give her space and time to approach them in her own way. I learned that on walks it was necessary to constantly monitor her. While she did and does respond to me she's intensely aware of who and what was going on around us. That was OK even good because it kept me focused, alert, and attuned.

Here we are in 2015. Our walks aren't as fast yet I still have to be alert. In the backyard, Stella's self-appointed job is keeping the squirrels and neighbourhood cats honest, a job I approve of and support. She's more cuddly with me and with Faye.

Now for a few photos.

February 2004. 'Shredding stuff is my job.'


Portrait, February 2004.


Top of Enchanted Rock in central Texas with Faye and Sushi, a dog I was fostering at the time.


Canine Good Citizen.


Mighty Texas Dog Walk, 2007. 'Come on, step up the pace.'


On the way to Canada. 'Are we there yet?'


Mining for mice.


Showing Achilles who's (still) boss.


Doughnut dog.




Portrait August 2014.


I made the right decision to adopt Stella. Owning her has fantastically enriched my life. If there is such a thing as a heart dog she's been one.

[Doreen Davis]

Happy birthday Stella!

[Sandra]

Happy Birthday Stella.

[Jeff]

Happy Birthday Stella!!!!

[BaconsMom]

Happy Birthday Stella!

[sparky]

Happy Birthday Stella

[ronmcq]

Happy Birthday Stella!

[coopersmom]

Happy Birthday Stella!!!

[Dallas dawg]

Happy birthday

[ZoeysMommy]

Happy Birthday pretty Stella! I love her ears