Bringing a dog into your life is a decision that should be made with care. From the moment they arrive, these loyal companions become part of the family. We promise to stand by them through every stage of life.
Yet, it’s deeply painful to witness how some owners abandon their dogs once they reach old age and require more attention and support.
Senior dogs experience profound heartbreak when the people they’ve trusted for years suddenly turn away.
Princess, an elderly Poodle, understands this sorrow all too well. She was cast aside by the very people she had loved unconditionally.
Left Behind With Nothing But Memories
Princess was found in the parking lot of the Animal Western League of Alexandria. Her belongings had been stuffed into shopping bags and left beside her.
Shelter staff quickly brought her inside. As they sorted through her items, they discovered a note from her former owners. It requested that Princess be euthanized and that her possessions be donated after she was gone.
The senior dog was disoriented and heartbroken. She missed her family and the only home she had ever known. Despite everything, Princess clung to the hope that her owners might come back for her.
The shelter team gave her comfort and took her to a veterinarian for evaluation. She was diagnosed with advanced kidney disease and estimated to be around 16 years old.
Due to limited resources, the shelter arranged for her transfer to Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue in Virginia, where she could receive the care she needed.
A Rescue That Refused To Give Up On Her
At Miri’s Haven, the rescue team made it their mission to help Princess feel safe and loved. They showered her with affection and gave her the attention she had been missing.
Slowly, Princess began to respond. She opened up and started to enjoy the warmth and kindness around her.
Though her age and kidney condition required hospice care, she didn’t seem to be in pain. What she needed most was time to recover emotionally from the abandonment she had endured.
The rescue staff continued to pamper her with cuddles and gentle care, delighted to see her spirit return.
“We see her thrive more and more each day…,” said Georgia Dodson, the director and cofounder of Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue.
Princess settled into life with a hospice foster who treated her with the love and dignity she deserved. Despite everything, she remained affectionate and full of warmth.
As her health stabilized and her personality blossomed, the rescue team began to believe that Princess might not be a hospice-only case. She could have a chance at finding a permanent, loving home.
Knowing that Princess is now surrounded by care and compassion brings comfort to everyone involved. There’s every reason to believe this sweet senior will find a family who will treasure her for the rest of her days.