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Allison Larkin

Internationally Best-Selling Author

You are here: Home / Argo the wonder dog / Stella the Wonder Dog

Stella the Wonder Dog

December 8, 2012 Filed Under: Argo the wonder dog, dogs, German Shepherds, STELLA

There was a time, years ago, when a wild beast came to live with us over Thanksgiving weekend.  She ripped plants from their pots, barked at the cat, peed on the floor (but never outside), and drove Argo into a nervous tizzy.  We changed her name to Stella and worked desperately to find a way to understand her. Eventually she got better.

It was a rocky start, but after the first year, Argo and Stella melded into a funny little team. Argo taught Stella how to be a dog.  She watched and copied. They ran around the yard playing a strange game of tag only they know the rules to.  When they wrestled, every so often Argo would flop over and let Stella win, even though he has almost 20 pounds on her.

Still, sometimes I wondered if Argo would have been happier as an only dog, if he ever wished for all the attention again. The bright spot in everything we’ve been going through is that now I know with complete certainty that bringing Stella home was the best thing we could have done for Argo, and for us.

J was on a business trip when Argo got sick.  Stella had a broken toe nail and was sporting an e-collar, so I didn’t want to board her. I didn’t know how long I’d be gone, and she’s not used to being left home alone or at a friend’s house.  I decided it was best to drag her along for the ride.

We checked Argo in at the hospital, J booked a flight to Buffalo, and Stella and I went out in search of a hotel that would allow an 80-something pound German Shepherd. We finally found a room, but I was terrified that she would bark too much or panic or freak out and we’d end up sleeping in the car in a parking lot somewhere.

Now, it seems absurd that I worried at all.  Stella took it all in stride as if frantic drives to Buffalo and sleeping in strange rooms are just part of the routine.  Because she was with me, I didn’t have to face anything alone and J got big sloppy dog kisses when we picked him up at the airport.

We spent three days in Buffalo, visiting Argo as much as we could while we waited for answers and tried to make decisions. We worried Stella might be too hyper or frantic to be around Argo. We didn’t want her to hurt him in her exuberance, or have her nervous energy make him nervous.  At first we took shifts. J stayed with Argo while I walked Stella around the parking lot or took her for a drive, and then we’d switch.

Finally, when it seemed like Argo was getting worse, we brought Stella in to see him. We thought maybe it was the beginning of a goodbye.  Stella stayed completely, almost forcefully, calm. Argo’s eyes were dull from morphine, but they brightened when we brought her in.  He stopped his nervous, druggy whining and finally, finally relaxed.

The four of us spent hours and hours crammed in that tiny little kennel in the hospital – accidentally locking ourselves in more than once.  Argo slept with his head on Stella.  Stella kept placing her paw on top of his.  She didn’t care about all the commotion around us or the beeping IV machine.  She didn’t flinch at loud noises or bark at other dogs. She was just there for her very best friend when he needed her.  She comforted him like it was her only purpose and she knew exactly what to do.

It was stunning, and as sad as we were, it was a privilege to watch her care for him and to be a part of it.  I felt — and still feel — so proud of the four of us for loving so well, for being so important to each other. When we were all together, Argo ate with enthusiasm and slept peacefully. It is an honor to be able to provide that kind of comfort for another being.  It is an honor to be a part of this pack.

It’s hard to think about Stella without Argo, about them not being team anymore.  We’re teaching her new tricks and taking shifts doing things with her on her own, trying to build her confidence, hoping in some small way to make the coming loss easier on her. No matter what we do, she’s going to lose her best friend, and I grieve for her as much as for myself and J.  But I know that she is one tough little dog. I am astounded by her strength and compassion and thankful that we stuck with her though the wild times. We need Stella just as much as she needs us. We are so lucky to be her family.

17 Comments

Comments

  1. Deidra K. Mann says

    December 8, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful story of love. Animals are truly amazing beings that can teach us so much about love, compassion and frienship. Prayers to you, J, Argo and Stella.

    Reply
  2. Deidrah Shutt says

    December 8, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    My heart goes out to all of you as you make this journey. I think our dogs show us what real love and compassion are all about.

    Reply
  3. Tabby McGonagle says

    December 8, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    This is my hope for how it goes for my Belle who has Wyeth – the bane of her existence. I also had worries that I shouldn’t have brought another puppy into my life.

    Reply
  4. The Modern Gal says

    December 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    It’s amazing to see the bonds dogs can make with each other once they realize they’re in the same pack. I had the same worries about Lucy when we moved in with Robert and Penny, but now Lucy and Penny are inseparable. Dogs are also so astute to changes in emotions and health. It’s no wonder they’re such great companions for the people and animals they love.

    Reply
  5. Carrie says

    December 8, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    Dogs are truly amazing and wonderful creatures…

    Reply
  6. Stefanie says

    December 8, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    I read things like that and feel so bad about being a self-proclaimed “not a dog person.” That made me cry. So sorry you guys are going through this, Allie, but glad you all have each other.

    Reply
  7. Tania says

    December 9, 2012 at 12:08 am

    God created dogs to teach us to be a family.

    Sniff…

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

    December 9, 2012 at 12:10 am

    What a blessing to have Stella around- for all of you! She has such a sweet, sweet spirit.

    Reply
  9. Steph says

    December 9, 2012 at 12:27 am

    I just read your 2 posts about Argo and my heart is breaking for you. I have been in your shoes 3 times with our shepherd mix, yellow lab, and, as we affectionately called him, our hell-cat. Know that while you may always have tears they will lessen and turn into smiles as your wonderful memories take over. I chose to believe the end was our precious pets’ way of saying, “You gave us more than any pet could ever hope for and it is time to move on so another pet can be as lucky as we were.” Take comfort in that you have Stella and she has you guys to help each other through this.

    Reply
  10. Lara says

    December 9, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Oh, Allie. I had no idea Argo has been sick. I’m so sorry ,and at the same time so glad you all have Stella’s steadfast companionship as you weather this together. Amazing spirits, these animals.

    Much love.

    Reply
  11. Heidi says

    December 9, 2012 at 8:56 am

    This left me speechless, with tears running down my face. Thank you for sharing your beautiful, touching, and sometimes funny story–what a beautiful pack you make.

    Reply
  12. Floria says

    December 9, 2012 at 10:31 am

    Hugs. Your story is so beautiful. I’m glad you have a canine in your life to help you get through the difficult days ahead.

    Reply
  13. StephTheBookworm says

    December 10, 2012 at 3:46 am

    Sweet Stella. Truly amazing.

    Reply
  14. BroccoliMama says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:21 am

    Such a touching picture of Stella and Argo needing each other.

    Reply
  15. Ellen says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Typing through tears here — Stella is the wonder dog. Sweet Stella knows just what you all need…
    :)

    Reply
  16. BJ says

    December 11, 2012 at 3:45 am

    My Sweet, you have been blessed as you are a blessing. Thank you for sharing your bittersweet story with us. I thought I was done for when I looked at the photo of Argo with his head on Stella. That’s what love, loyality, friendship is all about!

    Reply
  17. Sue Rusnak says

    December 13, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    Beautiful love story! Thank you for sharing! So very sorry for your loss!

    Reply

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Internationally bestselling author of STAY, WHY CAN'T I BE YOU and SWIMMING FOR SUNLIGHT. THE PEOPLE WE KEEP coming from @gallerybooks on 8/3/2021

Allison Larkin
The trifecta. #wordnerd The trifecta. #wordnerd
Snoring so hard with that paw on her nose. 😍 #d Snoring so hard with that paw on her nose. 😍 #dailystelladog
Actually, the real question is: Why don’t YOU ha Actually, the real question is: Why don’t YOU have a giant seashell full of super balls on your desk? #authorsofinstagram #deskdecor #weirdo #superballs
Hey, it’s me! #authorsofinstagram (📸: @larkin Hey, it’s me! #authorsofinstagram (📸: @larkinjeremyj)
Back at it, because I knew the longer I waited the Back at it, because I knew the longer I waited the harder it would be to get back at it. Sticking to wide trails with good visibility during wild boar piglet season. #trailrunning
A few days ago, I took this photo of turkeys while A few days ago, I took this photo of turkeys while I was out on a run, marveling at how wild animals do not seem to mind when they see me. Once, I almost bumped into a deer, the way a couple might meet-cute in a rom com. We just didn’t see each other. I’ve always thought it was a fun little quirk. Not even bunnies are afraid of me. But this afternoon on my run, I came up over a hill and was suddenly within fifteen feet of a wild boar. Thankfully, a year or two ago I got curious about the big traps that show up trailside around the bay, looked them up and learned about how fast, ruthlessly aggressive, and unpredictable a wild boar can be. Otherwise, I might have (stupidly) thought I was in the middle of another one of my Snow White moments and been all “Hello there, Mr. Pig! Look at you!” believing that I could quietly observe in wonder. Instead, I knew this was a bad situation. The boar grunted and moved to the center of the trail. It felt very ‘You shall not pass!’ But I did not want to pass. I wanted to get away. I backed slowly for a few moments and then turned and ran faster than I ever have in my whole life. I’ve since learned that there’s no way that boar chased me, because there’s no chance of outrunning a boar (climb a tree if you can). But I know that boar saw me and also wasn’t happy about the surprise, and I had a moment, racing back over the hills I’d just run — not daring to look behind me more than once or twice in fear I’d lose my footing — when I truly did not know what would happen. I’ve been in scary situations, but they were a different kind of scary. I don’t think I’ve ever flat out run for my life before, but that’s truly what I thought I was doing. Right now I am still full of adrenaline and also exhausted and so so thankful to be okay.
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