Stella Tootsie

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Meet Stella! She is looking for her perfect match.

Stella is an almost-four year old retriever mix. When we say we need the perfect home, we mean it. Overall, Stella is an amazing dog. She’s healthy and completely housebroken! She has never been without a family or a person who loves her. She is affectionate and enjoys walking on a leash (most of the time – see below). She plays well at the dog park. We think she could be an only dog or a member of a small pack, but we would need a meet and greet to make sure the fit between your dog and Stella is a good one.

While she really is a GREAT dog and her foster mother loves her very much, Stella has a few…. quirks. These are not massive behavioral issues, but they are very real, and will probably need to be accommodated. It is possible that she will grow out of them, but her family needs to be aware that these may be permanent.

First, Stella does NOT like to be startled awake by touch. She doesn’t like to be pet while she is laying down or trying to sleep. This includes when she is in your bed. If she is startled awake, she snaps. For this reason, we recommend crate training her to sleep there at night. While she is sleeping in her bed, make noise before you approach her. If she wakes up and looks at you, then she will follow your commands. Sneaking up on her will never be a good idea. She does sleep at the foot of her foster mom’s bed, so it can work, but we would recommend starting to try that after she is very bonded with you.

Stella also has separation anxiety. Her foster mother reports that she does not destroy things, but is clearly very anxious. She takes a long time to settle once her humans leave, and she will sit by the window waiting for your return, fretting, for hours. It’s hard on her to have long separations. If there is any way she can escape while left alone, she will try. She needs to be secured in a room. She once tried to dig her way through a window screen. We recommend leaving the windows firmly closed and the curtains open so she can see the world go by. A crate with a window view might be ideal.

Stella is a loving pup (and very snuggly) but she will not be this right away. Her foster mother says it took about two months for her to really warm up and trust enough to show her belly and allow belly rubs. Strangers in the home make her tense. She does warm up to their presence, but it needs to be on her terms. Tell your friends to let HER decide to approach them. She will and then all will be OK. She remembers people she meets, so increase her circle of trust, but slowly.

Stella is usually quite good at the dog park. She either ignores people walking around or gives them a quick sniff and moves on. She and the other dogs have a little sniff, sometimes a chase, and then go on to the next smell. On a leash, she can sometimes be more reactive to people going by or dogs or cats and rabbits, but not always. Her foster is working on her leash skills, but this will be an ongoing process, and she will need consistent practice.

Stella HATES bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, and lawn mowers. She’s not a fan of anything making a motor sound. Obedience training and time may help desensitize her to these things, but we cannot guarantee that.

Because Stella has issues with unexpected touches and seems pretty particular about when she wants interaction, and also because she is slow to warm up and be affectionate, her ideal home would be adults only with someone who works from home or is retired. She would need a fenced yard or access to a dog park nearby where she can get some energy out every day. If she gets a chance to run around, she is much better behaved. Pent up energy intensifies her “quirks.” She currently takes three 15 minute walks morning, noon and night. This seems to be enough.

This girl doesn’t need a lot of work, but she does need someone who understands her quirks and loves her for them. If that is you, apply today!

Name: Stella Tootsie
Breed: Beagle Retriever
Sex: Female
Age: 3 - 4 years
Weight: 55 lbs
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
Heartworm: Negative
Microchipped: Yes

BASED ON OUR OBSERVATIONS:
Good with Dogs: Yes
Good with Cats: We don’t think so
Good with Kids: Friendly but please read above

Donation: $250.00

IMPORTANT INFORMATION -

Paws New England is a foster-based rescue - our dogs reside in various locations throughout the south and New England.

Adoption donations cover pre-adoption vet costs (including vaccinations, spay/neuter when age appropriate, and heartworm testing/treatment when necessary), a microchip, and transportation to New England if necessary.

Donations for our young, healthy puppies and dogs support their fellow canines of advanced age or suffering from injuries and abuse whose donations are reduced but whose veterinary costs are typically much higher. We appreciate your understanding that your newly adopted dog will help others in need.