Adam purchased Stella from Cwm Farm Rudry, Caerphilly in 2009, the same year Alun took early retirement.  Over the following years, Alun grew extremely fond of Stella and the pair became inseparable, to the extent that many people were unsure of who actually owned her.  Alun would often joke that Stella is the only dog he knows with two postcodes.  In his retirement, Alun frequently referred to himself as a professional dog walker.