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Stella was not gray...this is the sunlight streaming over her.

 

Nothing but love in her eyes'''''''

 

We said good-bye to Stella ........

 

Cantilli talkin’ ‘bout my girl CGC call name Stella b. 5 July, 2003 d. 6 February, 2015

 

This closes our chapter of the class of 2003.

 

Sent to us from Gypsy and Stella from across Rainbow Bridge

 

“ Did you ever know that you were our heroes?

You're everything we wished you would be

We could fly higher than an eagle

For you were the wind beneath our paws”

 

We said good-bye to Stella today; the last of her litter of ten now reunited across Rainbow Bridge. Stella was my Velcro girl and was almost always by my side in my arms, or close by just like she left us in our arms. I am heartbroken and the sadness is overwhelming. The more they love you the more you love them back and that has left a huge void in me. My dogs mean the world to me. I am so glad she stayed as long as she did.

 

My first experience with Stella was picking her up from Jan Ward and driving back to FL. We stopped in Valdosta, GA for the night and I got her onto the bed after much coaxing. From that moment on she was by my side. I don’t know why, but that’s when the bond happened and it lasted the rest of her life.

 

When Gypsy was young she’d stop traffic in our neighborhood and people would marvel at her. With Stella it was no different. On several occasions strangers would come up to me. Now, anyone who has a flat-coat has had that happened, but I had strangers come up and say, “That may be the most beautiful dog I have ever seen.” I was proud to own a flat-coat; I was so proud of Stella.

 

Gypsy had a huge personality and Stella was no different. Stella was the most affectionate dog I have ever been around and typically had a stuffie in her mouth. She was one of a kind. She was smart, active, and always ready for the camera. I loved her dearly. I am so saddened.

 

I cannot speak too highly of our breeder Jan Ward at Cahaba Flatcoated Retrievers; a true AKC Breeder of Merit and AKC Birmingham Kennel Club Breeder of the year for 2013. She has provided us with three amazing dogs and remained a friend throughout their lives. Her support was unwavering as well as many of the owners of Stella’s littermates. Some of you on Flickr may remember Allieangel, Sam, Kipling, Wrangler, and Nemo…some truly great dogs. We honestly love Jan.

 

Saying good-bye to Stella was as painful as saying good-bye to her litter mate Gypsy on 31 May, 2013. We have Piper Gypsy and Stella's great-niece and I am a “grandfather” to my daughter’s dogs Bandit and Marley and they are great dogs, too.

 

When we lost Gypsy I’d burst into tears at any time and that condition lasted longer than most of you would believe; I still cry for her. The loss of Stella is no different. As with Gypsy there are so very many things I see or think about that remind me Stella is gone. The loneliness and lack of major greetings are really missed. The last major greeting was on 25 January, 2015 when I came home from a visit in FL. I think Stella knew that she had to stay alive long enough to give me one more major greeting and sleep next to me again, The time when I’m suppose to think of things that make me smile….that time is a very long time off.

 

What do I miss? I do not feel her body next to mine when I am in bed, or eating at the table, or watching TV, sitting at the computer, or talking on my ham radio.

 

I miss getting up early because there’s 67 pounds standing excitedly on me hungry and ready to go out. I miss her coy flirtatiousness with a tongue to put an exclamation point on it. I miss her tail wagging like no other dog I’ve ever had; the wagging tail has stopped. I miss her huge greetings. My love dog is gone and now I cry.

 

I’ll never get tired of thanking everyone for their support throughout the years with Gypsy and Stella. The people on Flickr and Facebook are the best. We’ve had great adventures together and I will never forget them or the people and their dogs we met along the way. I cannot say enough about all the vets and staff at Gwinnett Animal Hospital who cared for Gypsy and Stella like they were one of their own. The compassion felt there was truly beyond the call of duty. Kudos to you all.

 

Watching Stella and knowing what was coming hurt us every day. There were so many firsts we had with Stella, but right now I can only dwell on the lasts...…last time out breathing in the night air, last time in the van, last time in my arms, the last words she heard; Daddy loves, Daddy loves, Daddy loves, and the last breath she took. When I lost Gypsy I lost my sense of humor and she broke my heart; losing Stella has broken everything else.

 

Thank you Stella for all the love and the never-ending supply of it you had.

 

I miss you so very much. My bestest girl Stella is gone…long live my bestest girl Piper.

 

Daddy

 

Stella aka:

 

Stella B

 

Beazer

 

The Beeze

 

Stellatinus (everyone should have a gladiator name)

 

The Bees Knees (whatever that meant)

 

Love Sponge

 

The Love Dog (similar as the Love Boat)

 

Sweetness

 

Oda Mae (Brown)

 

Eatamus Everythingus (Roman names are cool, too)

 

Stella Bella

 

Done