Never underestimate the transformative power of love.
When Stella was rescued from the streets of Atlanta, Georgia, she seemed like a lost cause. Scarred by her past, this beautiful gray and white pup was deeply traumatized.
She had lost all faith in humanity, letting out the most heartbreaking bark whenever anyone tried to approach her. But with the right person and relentless dedication, Stella began a life-changing journey.
This is her story!
Stella’s Heartbreaking Past
Source: @kristakeough
A neighbor saw Stella wandering the streets of Atlanta after she had been heartlessly abandoned by her owner. Used for breeding for years, she was discarded when she was no longer “useful.”
Animal control eventually picked up the frightened pup, and she was placed on the euthanasia list. Scarred both inside and out, Stella struggled to socialize and wasn’t considered fit for a new home.
Then, the compassionate team at LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta, Georgia, stepped in!
Determined to give Stella a second chance, they refused to let her past define her future. With patience and care, the volunteers worked tirelessly to help her heal. Thanks to their incredible efforts and support from Fly With Me Animal Rescue, Stella found a safe place to stay until she was finally ready for a loving forever home.
Source: @kristakeough
Then, a human-shaped miracle arrived!
Krista Keough came across a photo of this pawdorable girl on the rescue’s Instagram—just hours after having an unusual dream.
“She came into my life because I had a dream one night that I was running on the beach with my sister and her dog, and I looked down to see a gray and white dog,” Krista told GeoBeats Animals.
At that moment, she knew it was fate—Stella was meant to be part of her life!
Source: @kristakeough
From the very first moment they met, Stella and Krista formed an unbreakable bond.
Krista knelt in front of her, and, as if she had been waiting for this moment all along, Stella gently rested her head in Krista’s arms—a silent but powerful way of saying, “You’re my hooman now!”
That day, they went home together, ready to start a beautiful new life.
Healing Journey
Source: @kristakeough
For the first few weeks, Krista chose to delay introducing Stella to her other dog, Apollo. Instead, she focused on making Stella feel safe and secure, knowing that this rescue pup was still deeply traumatized.
Stella’s heartbreaking bark echoed through the air whenever she stepped outside or sensed a “potential danger” nearby. She acted like a fierce guard dog, but in reality, she was just trying to escape the shadows of her past that still haunted her.
Then, with some love and so many attempts to accommodate her, Stella’s behavior started to change!
Over time, Stella warmed up to Apollo, and soon, the two became best friends. They grew so comfortable with each other that they became inseparable, always side by side.
Beneath her once-broken soul, Stella revealed her true self—a pawsitive, playful girl who loved zooming around the yard with boundless energy. But despite her progress, she still struggled with occasional outbursts, finding it difficult to adjust to new situations.
“I felt like maybe I had taken on too much,” Krista admitted. “But then I thought about her journey—from her former home to the streets, to the shelter, then traveling on a bus all the way to me. If she could overcome all of that, then I could certainly make some changes in my life to accommodate her and give her the things she needs.”
Source: @kristakeough
Stella’s journey of healing and resilience deeply moved Krista, inspiring her to write a book titled “Dear Diary, It’s Me, Stella.”
Through this heartfelt book, Krista shared Stella’s moments of despair and the painful journey she had endured. Her goal was to raise awareness about rescue dogs—their struggles, their strength, and their unbreakable spirit, even after experiencing unimaginable hardships.
Today, Stella is living her best life with her loving family. While the shadows of her past may still surface from time to time, her mom’s endless love helps her overcome them. She is never alone, never abandoned—Krista’s lap has become her safest place in the world.
And really, isn’t that what every dog deserves?