Adopted
Princess ...Once upon a time, a
beautiful princess lost her kingdom and everything she owned. For some time, she
wandered the highways and byways, living the life of a vagabond and depending on
the kindness of strangers for a sip of water, a bite of food, and shelter from
the sun and rain. One day, she met a kind family who offered her a place to
stay. “We don’t have much room,” they said, “but you are welcome to live with
us.” And admiring their new lodger’s noble spirit and gracious heart (in which,
indeed, they were not deceived), they named her Princess.
Now, when she lived in her own kingdom, Princess occasionally traveled the
countryside incognito, visiting her subjects and making sure that all was well…
something that all good rulers like to do. At the peak of the winter holidays,
she decided to take a tour of her new territory, and in a surprisingly un-royal
lapse of judgment, did not say a word to her family, but slipped away silently.
For four long days they waited and wondered, not knowing if they would ever see
their Princess again. And then…
A little figure appeared in the distance, bobbing down the road and up the
drive. It was Princess! But what had happened? She was hopping on three legs,
while the fourth dangled uselessly in the air. Had she had an encounter with a
fire-breathing dragon, been set upon by footpads, been injured in a duel? She
didn’t say… and her smile was as happy as ever. Still, her family could tell she
needed an expert physician, and truth to tell, things were a bit crowded with
one big Princess and many other little ones!
Fortunately, they soon figured out what to do, and placed a call to Gentry
Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc., a local organization dedicated to helping
canine aristocrats in need. Within a day, an impressive coach drew up at the
door, and out stepped a GRR representative. Princess had not forgotten her royal
upbringing and briskly hobbled forward with a smile, a bob, a curtsey, a bow,
and a furious tail wag-plus-derriere-wiggle combination (now wherever did she
learn that? NOT in finishing school!). She was clearly the Genuine Article, and
in a twinkling she was handed into her carriage. A heartfelt thanks and farewell
to her family, and she was on her way to her next adventure…
They say that life is not a fairy tale, but we’re hoping that you can help this
Princess get the happy ending she deserves! As the story tells you, she was
picked up stray a few months ago by a wonderful family who already had lots of
little dogs, but nonetheless made room for one more; but when she showed up
badly lame after a four-day absence, they contacted GRR for help. Our volunteer
Kathy was of course charmed by Princess, and commented that she didn’t think the
injury could be too bad, since Princess was all smiles, wags, and good cheer. So
you can imagine our shock when an X-ray revealed that her shin bone was not only
broken, but shattered and smashed into so many pieces that there was no way to
reassemble it. (She probably did have a run-in with a fire-breathing dragon, in
the form of a car.) She’d need surgery and a plate in her leg, and the sooner
the better. Everyone who knows Goldens knows how stoic they can be, maintaining
that happy spirit even when they’re ill or in great pain… and Princess is an
outstanding example of that!
The surgery went perfectly, and Princess is now in rehab. Her foster mom says,
“This is such a NICE dog. Everything a Golden Retriever should be. She is a
solid girl who takes everything that comes her way. Wonderful personality and
attitude. Somebody spent some time with her. She is housetrained, loves
everyone, does great with other dogs, comes up to you and sits right down in
front you for a treat or a pat. It’s adorable. She doesn’t particularly care for
her Elizabethan collar (even though plenty of princesses and queens have worn
one on purpose). She wants to scratch, and it won’t let her, and then of course
she only has one functional hind leg, which makes scratching even harder. So
when we go outside, she lies on her back and just wiggles furiously to scratch
her back and shoulders. It’s hilarious. Her pet name is even Wiggles! She’s
super social and as soon as her leg is healed, she’ll be thrilled to go for
walks and mingle with everyone she meets. She’s the greatest.”
So far Princess has had lots of fairy godmothers and godfathers. The family who
took her in, then GRR, and now, of course, you! She needs many more friends to
help cover the cost of her operation, which ran around $1,500, and of course
some very special new friends to give her a castle and a kingdom once again. Can
you help Princess live happily ever after? If so, just
click here.
Thank you from all of us at GRR!