When a young dog finds love and a family to call their own, it feels like everything finally falls into place.
But when that comfort is suddenly taken away, the heartbreak runs deep. Confusion sets in, and everything familiar disappears.
Stella knows exactly what that feels like.
She was adopted as a puppy, only to be returned before she turned one. Her family claimed she was simply too much.
Stella couldn’t understand what had happened or why she was suddenly back at the place she thought she’d left behind.
Her History Before Returning
This wasn’t the first time Stella had been given up.
When she was only nine weeks old, her first owners brought her to Longview PAWS, a nonprofit that supports the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center in Gregg County, Texas.
Back then, she was called Rye and was a playful little pup who didn’t let the first rejection dampen her spirit.
She didn’t spend much time in the shelter. Along with her siblings, she quickly found a new home.
Her new family renamed her Stella. They had other dogs and children, and Stella truly believed it would be a perfect fit.
She thought she had found the life she always wanted.
But just a few months later, everything changed.
Her new family brought her back to the shelter, saying she was just too much to handle.
While they described her as sweet and affectionate, they said their children and senior dog couldn’t keep up with her high energy anymore.
Hoping for a Family That Understands
The shelter staff cared for her deeply and did all they could to comfort Stella and help her adjust.
Even so, they knew that true healing would only come when she found a home where she was truly accepted.
Stella needed a family who wouldn’t try to change her, but who could meet her where she was.
They hoped to find someone who would see her for the playful young pup she was.
The best fit would be an active household that could match her energy and give her time outside to burn it off.
Sadly, Stella’s situation isn’t unique.
The team at the Texas shelter says many dogs are adopted and then returned because families aren’t fully prepared for what pet ownership involves.
“By preparing ourselves for the responsibility of pet ownership, we can help reduce return rates and ensure every adoption is a lifelong success. Let’s spread awareness and advocate for these wonderful animals who just want to be loved,” Longview PAWS wrote on TikTok.
Thankfully, Stella’s story didn’t end in disappointment.
She eventually found a new forever family, one ready to offer the steady love and care she had needed all along.