Dog, Princess, Adopted After 3 Years At Suffolk Shelter: 'Congratulations Sweetie Girl'

HUNTINGTON, NY — Princess is going home after a three-year stay at Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center in Huntington, the shelter announced.

Princess, a terrier mix, arrived at the shelter's doorstep on March 3, 2021, as a 10-year-old. She was malnourished, emaciated, and in need of a miracle, according to the shelter.

The shelter's medical team diagnosed her with a combination of inflammatory bowel disease and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

"This complex situation allowed her to eat normally, though it rendered her unable to digest and absorb sufficient nutrients to maintain a normal healthy weight," the shelter wrote. "Once prescribed the correct medications and diet, this warrior Princess began to flourish, her positive spirit winning everyone’s hearts."

Other medical issues arose, however. Princess began requiring Insulin to keep her endocrine system in check and also lost most of her functional vision, the shelter stated.

"Rather than looking at these as challenges, she saw them as opportunities to spend more time with the staff and volunteers already smitten with her, garnering even more support," it wrote.

With her every need met, including being the best-dressed occupant of Kennel One, she still dreamed of a home to call her own.

Sonya, a previous staffer and current volunteer, began taking Princess out for a few hours at a time to enjoy new experiences. Gradually, those brief adventures turned into overnight stays at Sonya’s home where Princess relished being part of a family, the shelter wrote.

"Unable to resist this royal’s powers of persuasion, Sonya made the decision to become her permanent foster," the shelter stated. "After years of being in multiple rescues, Princess found a soft place to land at Little Shelter, day one of her miracle. Spending each day in between filled with curiosity, zeal, and the intention of living life to the fullest, a mere 1,039 days later our perfect Princess has found her happily ever after with Sonya. Congratulations sweetie girl…we are beyond thrilled for you both!"

The shelter cited a quote from Albert Einstein: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is that everything is a miracle."

Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center stated it chooses to believe the latter.

"Magic is made of the same things we are..hope, love, and a sprinkle of stardust."

Little Shelter Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization, is at 33 Warner Road, Huntington.