Story #1 of 60: Stella’s Story
As told by Carrie Doles, Adopter
After losing our beloved Puggle, Gucci, to cancer, our hearts were broken. We knew another dog could never replace her, but when the time felt right, we also knew we wanted to open our home to another Puggle looking for a fresh start.
I searched everywhere for a young female Puggle and kept coming up empty. Then one day, I saw that Anderson Humane had taken in a one-year-old female Puggle named Gertrude. She was so new that there wasn’t even a photo yet.
My sons and I decided to take a chance and make the drive.
The moment we met “Gertrude,” we fell in love. I called my husband and told him he had to leave work immediately and come meet her because this felt like our dog. By the end of the day, she came home with us. We renamed her Stella, and it was the best decision we could have made.
What makes Stella’s story even more special is where it began. She was a stray found in Oklahoma. Our little “Okie” has a personality all her own, and for the past seven years, she’s known nothing but love, safety, and home. Adopting her changed us. From that moment on, we knew we would always choose to rescue, giving animals the chance to belong.
Stella has impacted my life in ways I never expected. She isn’t a certified therapy dog, but she doesn’t have to be. She knows when I’m sick, when I’m struggling, or when I just need comfort, and she never leaves my side. In so many ways, she rescued me right back.
As Anderson Humane celebrates 60 years, I feel compelled to share our story because more people should open their hearts and homes to animals waiting for a family instead of shopping for one. When you rescue, you’re not just saving an animal’s life.
Sometimes, they end up saving yours.
Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at ahconnects.org/adopt or donate by clicking here
