The only thing Princess ever longed for, while sitting behind the bars of her kennel, was the chance to be free. After years of hardship, all she could do was watch other dogs leave with families while she remained behind.
This senior Pittie mix in Hawaii, struggling with a serious illness, seemed ready to give up entirely.
But then, one woman stumbled upon her story online, and within days, Princess’s world changed in the most heartwarming way.
A Long Journey From Shelter To Freedom
Much of Princess’s life before arriving at the Maui Humane Society remains a mystery. What rescuers did learn was heartbreaking: she had been discovered in a remote location, skeletal, ill, and struggling with congestive heart failure.
Even in her fragile state, Princess displayed nothing but kindness during her stay at the shelter. Yet she was passed over again and again, as happens so often with older Pitties. Families looking for pets walked past her without offering a second look.
Through the years, she lived in multiple foster homes, but none ever became her lasting family.
Eventually, Princess became one of the longest residents of the Maui Humane Society.
“That’s over two years of watching other dogs come and go, hoping her turn might come too. She arrived at Maui Humane Society as a stray, thin and tired. Now 10 years old, she’s our longest resident, and time is catching up to her,” Cassondra, the rescue volunteer, wrote in the video.
Everything changed when a woman named Ginger Cabais discovered Princess’s video while scrolling through social media.
Ginger had spent many years helping dogs recover and find families, and now that she lived in Hawaii, she felt called to provide Princess with the hospice home she so urgently needed.
The next challenge was arranging how to bring Princess to her.
With the help of volunteer pilot Bianca, who offered to fly Princess to Oahu, and Cassondra, who accompanied her on the journey, the long-time shelter resident was finally headed toward a new beginning.
The instant Princess and Ginger met, it seemed as though they had always known one another.
Princess quickly settled in, leaning into her new mom as if she realized she was at last safe.
Princess Finds Her Place At Last
Watching Princess nestled in Ginger’s arms moved everyone who had followed her long journey.
After more than 791 days inside a kennel, she could finally rest in a soft bed, soak up the sunshine, and savor the simple comforts she had never truly experienced before.
Though her health challenges remain and her senior years are here, one thing is certain: every day forward will be filled with love and warmth.
“It’s been a long road filled with love, healing, and hope. From the kind souls who rescued her over two years ago, to every foster family who opened their hearts and homes—we are so grateful. This is why we do what we do,” the Hawaii rescue concluded in the post.
At last, Princess has the life she always deserved, spending her days not as a forgotten shelter dog, but as the cherished companion of a loving family.