Stella

Stella’s story isn’t one of neglect — it’s one of unfortunate medical complications, emotional growth, and the incredible power of the right environment.

When Stella first came into our care at Northern Chapter Great Dane Rescue of New England, she had just gone through what should have been a routine spay surgery with a private vet. Sadly, that procedure led to an accidental injury to her eyes — a surgical mishap that left lasting damage. While she wasn’t in chronic pain before, the botched procedure meant her eyes could no longer be medically cleared for corrective surgery. Now and for the rest of her life, Stella will need daily eye drops and medications to manage the effects and keep her comfortable.

But her journey wasn’t just about healing her body — it was about understanding her needs as a dog, too.

Stella’s original home, full of love and the best intentions, wasn’t the right fit for her long term. As time went on, Stella began resource guarding and getting into conflicts with the other female dog in the home. It was a difficult decision, but it became clear that Stella needed a different kind of environment — one where she could decompress, feel safe, and have space that was hers.

Her first foster with us gave her exactly that. They helped her start to unwind and, most importantly, they helped us better understand who Stella truly was. We learned that she’s a resource-guarding Dane who thrives when she has clear structure, a space of her own, and patient humans who respect her boundaries. That foster played a vital role in helping us prepare Stella for the next step in her journey.

And then came her second foster… who became her forever family.

It wasn’t long before Stella found her footing in their home — and to everyone's surprise and joy, she found herself a new best friend: a cat! The two became fast companions, and Stella quickly proved that with the right setting, she was not only manageable — she was amazing. She’s blossomed into a confident, loving dog who knows what to expect each day and feels secure in the world around her.

Stella may always need eye medication. She may always be a dog who requires thoughtful management. But now, she also has something she never has to question: home.

To everyone who supported Stella through this chapter — whether by fostering, donating, or simply sharing her story — thank you. You helped us show that no dog is too complicated or too broken. Sometimes they just need the right people.