The Beginning - Adoption and First Major Surgery

Stella was adopted in 2004 at 9 weeks old.  She was the runt of the litter and had a clean bill of health except that, as the runt, she had been kicked in the right eye by one of her litter mates (during feeding time) which ultimately caused some vision damage.

By the time Stella reached her full adult size both of her eyes had become extra buggy - even for a Pug!  Incidentally, this had nothing to do with the injury she sustained as a puppy.  In June 2009 after consulting with a veterinary ophthalmologist, at the suggestion of our vet, Stella had Tarsorrhaphy surgery which is a procedure in which the eyelids are partially sewn together to narrow the opening.  Her eyes had begun to show abrasions on her corneas from not being able to blink fully and sleeping with her eyes partially open.  Since the vision in her right eye was compromised already it was best that we did not take any chances.  She made a full recovery with no complications. 

This is Stella today (she is on the right, with Betty on the left).