Stella is a sweet Georgia Peach who is here for heartworm treatment and a penchant for chasing cats.

Last Updated: January 28, 2023

History

Stella was adopted from a large rescue in Atlanta Georgia, in poor physical condition and heartworm positive. Stella’s Mom began the heartworm treatment process and helped her gain weight and get into shape. Stella proved to be cat aggressive, and there were 5 cats in the family. Stella’s Mom tried hard to get Stella over her fascination with chasing cats, but Stella wasn’t responding. Mom sequestered Stella in part of the house, but that’s no way for a dog to live. She began searching for a rescue that would take Stella and would be a good place for her to complete her heartworm treatment. She found Piney Mountain Foster Care and reached out to us.

Base Info

Arrival date: August 27, 2022
Breed: Staffordshire Terrier
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Birthdate: @ July 13, 2020
Weight: @53 pounds on Aug 27
……….. 54.0 pounds Oct 1
………… 49.0 pounds Nov 1
………… 49.4 pounds Dec. 1
………… 54.4 pounds Jan. 1
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
General Health: Excellent
Temperament: Exceptionally sweet and loving.
SAFER Test performed: Yes – Failed: reactive to all female dogs. Okay with males. ** see 8/31 notes below.
Departure date: Undetermined

Relational Behavior

NOTE: Stella has only just arrived. Info below will be updated as we get to know this sweet girl.

Relates well to other dogs: Sort of (see 8/31 notes below).
Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Undetermined
Preferred style of play: Likes to run, likes rough-n-tumble play with other dogs.
Is affectionate: Yes
Is good with:
. Men: Yes
. Women: Yes
. Children: Untested but probably
. Cats: NO, high prey drive.
Jumps up on people: Not any more.
Mouths: No
Walks well on a leash: Yes, if she’s not pouting.

Commands

Comes when called: Yes
Sits on command: Yes
Down / Off: Yes
Shake / Paw: Not yet
Kennels on command: Yes. with a bribe

House Dog Training

Willingly enters his/her crate: Not yet
Is calm/quiet while in crate: Yes No
Understands going outside to potty: Yes No
Alerts me of need to go outside: Yes No
Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: Yes No
Engages in kitchen counter cruising: Yes No
Stays off people furniture: Yes No

Adoption Information:

Applications are being accepted now.

Gallery

Observations

August 31, 2022

Stella arrived around 10:30 Friday night. Her first night was confusing and anxious. S.A.F.E.R. testing is supposed to be done as soon after admit as possible so the dog does not become acclimated to the handler. I tested Stella Saturday, mid morning. She did quite well except for interactions with other dogs. She was hostile toward all the females, including my mentor dog, Blondie Bear, who is 13 years old and as sweet and gentle as can be. Stella acted playfully toward the male dogs. Even Blade, who came out after Stella was in her outside run and tried to intimidate her by snorting and lunging at her. Stella found that entertaining and her tail was wagging madly the whole time, “Do that again, that’s funny!” Blade was miffed at his failure to intimidate.

By Saturday afternoon, Stella had changed her mind about the girls and was using her play time to go around and invite each of them to play. None accepted, they were still remembering her behavior that morning.

By Monday the other girls are fascinated by Stella’s squeaky bunny toy, and Stella was delighted to show them how it worked. All were getting along fine. I’d been keeping Blondie Bear inside during play times (much to her consternation) so there was no risk Stella would hurt her while my attention was elsewhere.

Wednesday morning I brought Blondie out with me for cleaning and play time. I put Stella on a long lead and let her approach Blondie Bear.

So that ended well, and I expect she will learn to relate to the others as well.

January 6th, 2023

Stella is within days of completing her recovery period. Treatment went exceptionally well. Recovery has gone well except she has become frustrated with being on activity restriction (no zoomies in the yard) and has recently been taking her frustrations out on bedding and plush toys. Prior to this she has been extremely gentle on toys. Okay, she’d flap them hard sometimes, but never ripped them open like some dogs do. The bed she came in with remained in pristine condition, until she got frustrated. Minor damage, I took it out of her room and will give it back (after repairs) when she calms down after restriction is over.

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