When shelter staff at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria arrived one morning, they found a small crate left in the parking lot. Inside was an elderly dog surrounded by plastic shopping bags filled with toys, blankets, and food bowls — everything she owned in the world.
Tucked among her things was a note with a heartbreaking request: that the dog be euthanized, and that her belongings be donated to other dogs afterward.
“She was left with all her belongings and a message asking that she be put to sleep,” said Georgia Dodson, director and cofounder of Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue. “Whoever ditched this gorgeous girl asked that her things go to other dogs after her death.”
The 16-year-old pup, named Princess, had clearly lived a long life — but she wasn’t ready for it to end. Though she had advanced kidney disease, she wasn’t in pain, just frightened and confused after being abandoned by what was likely the only family she’d ever known.
When the shelter realized Princess needed more care than they could provide, they reached out to Miri’s Haven, a rescue that specializes in giving senior dogs love and dignity in their final years.
“Miri’s Haven doesn’t let fragile seniors die like that,” Dodson said. “And neither does the shelter that reached out.”
Once Princess settled into her foster home, her transformation began. The once-timid senior started to wag her tail again, responding to gentle voices and soft touches.
With every meal, nap, and walk in the sunshine, her spirit grew stronger.
“Princess is most likely hospice given her age and advanced kidney disease,” Dodson explained. “But she’s not in pain — and we see her thrive more and more each day with a little TLC.”
Now, Princess will spend her remaining time surrounded by comfort, love, and peace — a far cry from the loneliness of that crate in the parking lot.
Her rescuers are determined to make sure that however many days she has left, every one of them will be filled with kindness.
“She may be old,” Dodson said, “but she still has so much love to give.”
If you’d like to help Princess and other senior dogs like her, you can donate to Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue.
