My name is
Estrella *Arriving 2/8*!

Meet Estrella (Stella)!

Estrella is a 3-year-old Schnauzer/Chihuahua mix with a scruffy, adorable face and a heart full of love. She’s friendly with humans of all ages, dogs (not puppies), and even dog-savvy cats! While she’s not a fan of bouncy young pups, she’s perfectly happy with a calm playmate or being your one-and-only cuddle buddy. Estrella is mostly potty trained—she just needs a little patience and routine in a new environment. She’s leash-trained, crate-trained, rides well in the car, and knows commands like "stay," "sit," "come," and "night night." Her playful side shines when she’s fetching toys or making her signature “hooting” sound with squeaky ones. When it’s time to relax, she’s a total lap pet who adores belly rubs.

Timid at first, Estrella quickly warms up with treats, toys, and gentle introductions—she’ll be your buddy in no time! She startles easily in new situations, so slow introductions are best, especially with kids. Once she feels at home, her affectionate, goofy, and intelligent personality truly shines. Estrella was found as a stray in Texas and is ready to settle into a new home where she can enjoy a balance of play, cuddles, and love. Could you be the one to give this sweet girl her happily-ever-after?

Estrella  is from Texas. They arrive in Minnesota on 02/08/2025 and will need to be picked up from the Ruff Start Rescue office in Princeton, MN between the hours of 9am and noon. Please plan for their arrival accordingly as we cannot accommodate pickups outside of this time frame.  Since they haven’t arrived yet, they are available exclusively through Ruff Start’s Foster to Adopt (FTA) Program. Click here to learn more about the FTA program. Once they get to Minnesota, they might require further veterinary care. Ruff Start’s veterinary suite is located in Princeton, MN, and, as the foster, you will be required to transport your dog to and from these vetting appointments.

If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.