It's been about 1,000 days since Princess the bulldog's family dropped her at an Arizona animal shelter, saying they were moving and leaving the dog behind.
It was mid-January 2013, and right away Princess went onto a list of dogs slated for euthanasia.
Elena Bobu, from a local group called Rescue Pals, saw Princess' sad shelter photos and read her heartbreaking story online, and became determined to give this dog the rich life she deserves. Bobu whisked Princess out of the shelter and to a nice dog resort, where she'd be able to stay until some lucky family took the doggie home for good.
Advertisement
Initially, folks thought that would happen in a flash. Princess is a sweet dog, with a stubborn, funny, goofy personality. She's smart, adorable and clearly longs for love.
But nearly three years later, the blocky-headed pup has an ever-grayer muzzle and is still living in a kennel, still waiting for a family to make her theirs.
"Honestly I thought she would be adopted very fast. She loves people to no end and is very silly," Bobu said. "I never thought it would take so long."
Advertisement
Given the far grimmer alternate possibilities, the last three years have not been terrible ones for Princess. Not by a long shot.
She's got a comfy bed and lots of toys at the resort. Every day, volunteers play with her. They take her out of her kennel, for walks in the beautiful Arizona foothills.
"She has lots of fans who come and spend time with her, " Bobu said.
Volunteers do try to be judicious about giving out treats, since Princess has been blessed with a zaftig build -- but even keeping her away from the munchies for the sake of health, is a sign of just how much this dog is adored, if you think about it.
Everyone says it: Princess should have more.
Princess is about 8 years old now. She's in good health -- better than when she arrived, even -- but every day her muzzle seems to get a little grayer, which makes her odds of being adopted a little smaller. (Princess is also not always great with other dogs, which presents another challenge.)
Advertisement
It almost worked out a few times, but the situations were never quite right.
Now all of a sudden, Princess is getting more depressed, and her friends at Rescue Pals are feeling a little more urgency about this dog's situation.
"The resort staff finds her in her kennel staring at the wall, having a lost and hopeless look on her face. She often tries not to go back to the kennel and be left alone in there again," Bobu said.
It's hard for those who care about Princess not to despair, themselves.
"She never did anything wrong. Her family let her down. I personally feel I have failed her by not finding her a home for so long," Bobu said.
Instead of giving up, Rescue Pals is redoubling efforts to get Princess where she belongs: in a loving home, that's calm and safe, with people who will give her kisses, along with some exercise and not too many treats. Some place with a big comfy couch, where Princess can survey her lands without having to exert all that much effort.
Advertisement
To get her there, Bobu just finished making that rip-your-heart-out video telling Princess' story, up at the top of the page.
Princess also has professionally produced photos, posted to a Facebook page, and her very own website -- which has, utterly charmingly, a "What Others Say" section that basically reads like a series of laudatory book blurbs like this one:
“Princess is gentle, playful, loves kids, loves to sunbathe. She loves to lick your whole face, to love and cuddle. Not one bad thing about her. Love her!”
Underlying all of this -- the work, the hope, the website -- is that Bobu believes in Princess. She believes that Princess is a great dog, who will be a great pet, once someone gives her that opportunity.
Advertisement
All the better if that opportunity comes soon.
"She is such a ray of sunshine to everybody she meets," Bobu said. "Every creature deserves a safe home and to find love. We all deserve a second chance."
Get in touch at arin.greenwood@huffingtonpost.com if you have an animal story to share!
These Pit Bulls Need Homes!
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.