Support Courtney in Memory of Stella

I am Leslie K. and Courtney is my friend and long-time employee. A group of us who know and love her wanted to help somehow after the tragic loss of her dog Stella and asked if she would let us do a GoFundMe. She was reluctant at first but after days of thinking about it she agreed.

This is a story that’s incredibly hard for Courtney to share, but she’s holding onto hope and reaching out during one of the hardest times in her life.

Stella May came into Courtney’s life in 2017, just after her 18th birthday. At the time, she had no idea the dog she was rescuing had been abused and was terrified of the world. But something in Courtney knew she couldn’t give up on her — and over the next eight years, Stella became her world. She was more than a pet; she was family, a soulmate in dog form.

Through those years, Stella helped shape Courtney into the person she is today. Stella was there through everything — all the ups and downs of adulthood, and even the unimaginable grief of losing her mom suddenly in May 2023. When Courtney felt like she was drowning, it was Stella who kept her afloat. That love, that bond, gave her purpose in her darkest days.

In June of this year, Stella became sick. She stopped eating, didn’t want to go on walks, and wouldn’t even chase birds — something she always did. After a rushed trip to the emergency vet, Courtney was told that Stella had a blockage in her stomach and needed emergency surgery to survive.

The cost was overwhelming, but Courtney knew she couldn’t walk away without trying. She went through with the surgery, believing in her heart that if Stella could just come home, everything would be worth it. The surgery went well — until the next morning, when Stella didn’t wake up. Her body was too tired. Just when Courtney thought she’d done everything right, her best friend was gone.

Now Courtney is left not only grieving the loss of her heart dog but also facing nearly $5,600 in emergency veterinary bills she wasn’t prepared for. She knows she made the right decision to okay the procedures, but the emotional weight combined with the financial stress has made healing feel ever more out of reach. An offering in Stella’s honor, small or large, would be deeply appreciated by those of us who love and support Courtney!