DubC Dog Chronicles: Stella’s Pit Bull Rescue Story | October 2026, Vol. 2
Real rescue stories.
The dogs who found their people, and the people who found a best friend.
Stella in Profile, 2026
Stella: From Left Behind to Soul Dog
When Stella walked into the studio for her DubC Dog Portrait session, I instantly fell for her calm, loving personality and, of course, that beautiful Pittie face.
As we worked with her on set, I knew we were creating some stunning, award-winning images. And with October being Pit Bull Awareness Month, this feels like the perfect time to share Stella’s story, where she came from, the person who saw something special in her, and the life she has today.
I am a huge believer that connections come together for a reason.
Sometimes You Just Know
Some dogs find their people face to face in a shelter or rescue event, or on a 1-on-1 skip day. Sometimes, they do it through a computer screen from 100 miles away.
Back in 2022, Julieanne was living in Baltimore and getting serious about rescuing a dog. Originally from North Wales, PA, she widened her search from Baltimore into Pennsylvania, looking at shelters and rescues within about a 100-mile radius.
During that exhaustive online search, a beautiful steel-grey Pit Bull at Providence Animal Center in Media, PA appeared on her screen.
Stella, AKA Sally at the shelter, had been brought to Providence after being found chained to a tree in a nearby cemetery. She had recently given birth to puppies and then was simply discarded, left there to fend for herself.
When Julieanne saw Stella’s photo on Providence Animal Center's Meet Our Dogs page, there was an immediate connection.
"Yep, she’s mine."
100 Miles Wasn’t Going to Stop Her
Just before Thanksgiving 2022, Julieanne traveled up I-95 from Baltimore, arriving at Providence Animal Center just before closing.
There wasn't enough time to complete the adoption that evening, so she returned the next day.
When she arrived at the shelter, they asked if she'd like to start with a trial sleepover.
Nope.
Julieanne already knew Stella was going home with her.
What she didn't know was that this particular heart-stealer apparently came with an impressive amount of drool and love.
Stella, 2026
Stella Comes to Life
Once Stella left the crowded shelter, her personality came alive.
Julieanne describes her best:
"Stella loves to destroy toys, loves car rides, but prefers highway speeds before settling in for a nap, and whines when she wants someone to pet her."
And then there's Stella's rather flexible definition of loyalty.
"She is literally my soul dog; however, she has no loyalty to anyone. She will hop from person to person. If she could, she’d probably follow my boyfriend home."
Julieanne says Stella is everything she thinks of when she hears the words Pit Bull. She's a couch potato who believes she's a lap dog, a Velcro dog who will happily put her entire weight against you while being petted, and that seriously big Pittie smile.
Whenever they're out together, people comment on how well-behaved and beautiful Stella is. With 100% certainty, I can confirm both firsthand.
And Julieanne talks about her. A lot.
As she puts it, "How can you not talk about her when she is your dog?"
Pit Bull Awareness Month: Look at the Dog in Front of You
Pit Bulls have carried a negative reputation for far too long, and too often that reputation follows them into shelters before anyone takes the time to meet the individual dog.
Stella is a pretty great argument for looking beyond that label.
This is a dog who had every reason to be unsure of people. She was discarded, tied to a tree, and left on her own. Yet the Stella I met in my studio was calm, affectionate, patient, and completely comfortable soaking up attention from everyone around her.
Give a dog responsible people, proper care, training, socialization, and a home where they are treated as part of the family, and you get a much better picture of who that individual dog can be.
For me, that's an important part of Pit Bull Awareness Month. Don't judge the dog by the label or stigma. Meet the dog standing in front of you.
In Stella's case, she'll probably lean her entire body against you and expect you to keep giving her continuous belly rubs.
From Tied to a Tree to Living Her Best Life
Today, this once discarded love bug spends her days leaning her entire body into the people she loves, charming strangers, stealing attention, destroying toys, and living the life she should have had all along.
One day Stella was alone, tied to a tree with no idea when, or if, someone would come for her.
Then one photograph on a shelter website reached Julieanne nearly 100 miles away.
Julieanne saw that face and knew she had to bring her home.
Now Stella isn't just a rescued dog.
She’s Julieanne’s soul dog.
And that is what a shelter, rescue, or NoClue Dog Breed can give you.
Adopt. Foster. Give Them a Chance.
With shelters and rescues overflowing, consider adopting or fostering. You may just find your own soul dog waiting for you.
And if Stella’s story helps one more person look at a Pittie, senior dog, overlooked dog, or shelter dog a little differently, then her story is worth sharing.
I look forward to having Stella and Julieanne back in front of my camera again very soon.
DubC Dog Chronicles
Real rescue stories. The dogs who found their people, and the people who found their best friends.
#AdoptDontShop #DubCDogChronicles #RescueDogStory #PitBullAwareness #FosterDogs
© 2026 Roman Coia Photographer, LLC | DubC Dog Portraits. All photography and written content protected. All rights reserved.
