Rosebud Returns...

It only took 2 days after the initial call that Stella (originally named Rosebud) was fighting with her adopted sibling, for her adopters to call & ask us to pick her up.

9pm on a Sunday night & we didn't even hesitate... drove an hour & picked her up immediately.  From what we were told, I was expecting a 'monster'.  In the 3 months she was in her new home, the 2 dogs had been clashing regularly.  We were angry that her adopters hadn't contacted us for help after the first or second time.  Friends would have sent out a trainer & either the 2 girls could have been managed properly or Stella may have determined to be placed as an only dog in a new home.  I feel that I failed her.  She was only 4 months when she was adopted, she was a puppy & able to molded with the right leader.  Stella also came back with quite a few scars on her face & head.  It breaks my heart.  Although she wants to be a dominant dog, I think she had to defend herself at times, too.

Luckily, she fell right back into our 'pack' at home.  4 dogs here now.  As I type this, she is snuggled over the paws of our stubborn beagle, Buddy.  Stella is a sweetheart. We monitor all dogs very closely.  We have learned Stella's triggers that cause her to potentially act out.  Picking up Bella, our small female beagle, is one of them.  Giving attention to another dog on an elevated surface (couch, ottoman or chair) is another one.  We avoid these actions once we realized they aggravated her & have had no incidents.  Unfortunately, she didn't fare well in doggie daycare while we went on our ski trip.  She has a very high prey drive & wanted to go after every small dog there... I can't express the gratitude to Canine Corral for allowing her to stay & altering their schedules to try & work with her.  Stella will never be a dog park or doggie daycare candidate, which will make her challenging to find a home for. 

Surprisingly, her presence here has also brought a different side of Igor out.  Igor has been antogonizing Stella to play constantly.  They are perfectly matched in size & Igor doesn't have a mean bone in his body.  Several times daily, they chase & wrestle outside & inside, whenever the mood strikes.  We can also leave out the deer antler bones & tug toys & all 4 dogs are appropriate.  If Stella wants a bone that someone else has, she will patiently wait & take it when the other dog walks away from it.

The night before we went out of town, Stella was the only dog home with us.  So she was allowed throughout the house with us, on the couch while we watched t.v. & in the bed at night.  She is a DOLL.  She is such a lover & not obtrusive at all.  We are going to work with a trainer to see if Stella's triggers can be rehabilitated or if she is destined to be a solo dog.  I am dedicated to finding her the perfect home this time around...she doesn't deserve to be shuffled from home to home.  She, of course, always has a home here with us.

'Dogs are lousy poker players.  When they get a good hand, they wag their tails'