We adopted Stela in January. I’ve never owned a blind dog before and had no idea what to expect. We saw a post from a local rescue group on FB of this sad little dog. We agreed that she needed help and we were willing to give it.
In Mexico it’s different from in the US or EU. No application, no screening, no home visits, if you’ll take the dog, it’s yours. The vet guessed her age to be about four. She had had puppies and was probably used as a backyard breeder. The story was that she was found roaming the street and had been abandoned because the owner moved. Her enormously deformed eye and blindness probably had something to do with it.
I brought her home and opened the side door to take her outside to relieve herself. I wasn’t quick enough and she darted out of my reach and right off of a four foot high wall. I watched in horror as this little potato did her flying squirrel imitation. Legs out in all directions to slow her descent. She bounced off of a bench below and landed hard. By the time I got to her, she was on her feet and off to a new adventure. I was the one most traumatized. In hind site it was hilarious, but not at the moment.
For weeks I kept her on a leash. She was eager to explore and being tethered to her, I was regretting my decision to adopt. I began tapping my foot to show her where stairs were. As she trusted me and followed my voice, she began avoiding ledges. She had an amazing memory for her environment both outside and in. Little by little I gave her more freedom and now she goes out the front to explore the yard and knows her way back to the door.
Stela had the bad eye removed. It hasn’t slowed her down in the slightest. When she’s unsure where she is or what’s in front of her, she has a stiff-legged, spread toe march that makes her look like a Russian soldier goose stepping in a May Day parade.
Stela’s two favorite pastimes are eating and finding my MIL’s cat. Gato loves to sit just out of her reach and watch her walk in circles, bumping into things until she finds him. They play and romp. It seems a bit mean, but Stela doesn’t mind.
Her only fear is thunder. She’s woken us two nights now totally freaked out by the tropical storm we’ve been having. Otherwise she has little dog syndrome and is willing to take on all comers. She is my shadow and I love her dearly. Both Lisa and I think that Frida sent us an angel and for that we are deeply grateful.
DOS TORTAS
9
the adventures of dos tortas 
I loved this episode of dos tortas. Sweet little Stela found her forever home – she can see your love. Good on you and Lisa. Glad to see/hear you are healthy through the pandemic. As you know, things are troubled here in the U.S. Good wishes to y’all. -alicia
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Lovely to hear from you. We’ve missed each other numerous times. I’d love to catch up.
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Stela is a little love. Thank you for adopting a special-needs dog! Our Boston Terrier, now 12 years old, became blind from cataracts over the years, and now her blindness is pretty close to total. She can see light and maybe dark shapes, but that’s about it. She has adapted pretty well, but we’ve certainly had to make changes to our routine and home environment to adapt to her condition. A young one like Stela would adapt much faster, since she doesn’t have cognitive issues like our girl. So funny about her looking for Gato!
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The cat is evil.
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You made my day with this story. Stella has found the right place with each of you.
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Thank you Gail. She runs the place.
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Thank you for changing Stella’s life from misery to one of wonder. We have 3 cats and a dog. All are rescues. We love them all and they love us.
Sent from Dan’s iPad
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Thanks Dan. I call her Stela the Fearless. She rules the roost and my ❤.
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Glad you got little Stela. She’s a real cutie. When my sweet girl goes, I plan to do some traveling for a while. Then when I settle back down I’ll get another dog, an older one that no one else wants.
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Sounds like a plan. A pug is so attached. I love it.
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