Well, well, well, I just celebrated my 8 year adoptaversary!!!
On April 4th, 2009, I rescued a family from Santa Rosa. They came looking for a dog and left with me, The Petite Princess. They had no idea how much their life was about to change. At first they were like deer in the headlights, didn’t have a clue what to do with me, only having 3 legs and cute as a button.
A few months later after all the training and learning stuff, they turned me loose on Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa. I remember that day like it was yesterday, November 1st, 2009. That hospital had never seen the likes of me, my red wagon, autographed 4 by 6 closeup photo’s of you know who, and, the maid and chauffeur there to help me start my rounds. Nope they had never seen a Princess cruising the hallways with my Farah Fawcett tail blowing in the breeze. People stopped, pointed, oohed and ahhed and we’d invite them over so they could meet me. A few told me how beautiful I am.
We’ve made a lot of friends at the hospital, we make friends everywhere we go. We’ve traveled many miles, me in my wagon, tail in the breeze. Hanging with Mom and Dad …from Doggy Days at Sonoma State, to a So Cal TRIPAWD PAWTY , a Las Vegas TRIPAWD PAWTY, to the Strip in Las Vegas, yeah, Elvis wanted his picture taken with ME! To retirement homes, helping kids learn to read, selling raffle tickets for the local Harley Owners Group fundraiser, working with autistic young people and sometimes folks who just need a Princess to hug.
I couldn’t have done any of this without gobs of help. The students that rescued me in Taiwan and the volunteers at Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. The Doctor that took my bad leg off and threw it away. Jim and Kathy, the best foster parents this lucky Princess could have. My Foster God Mother Jana, who gave my dad the what for, and told him what he could and couldn’t expect from me. Margie the trainer that helped dad and me learn to work together. Nancy taught us how to be a social/therapy team. She believed in me, as little as I am, she believed in me. Early in the training Mom and Dad weren’t sure, but Nancy was. And Penny, my Border Collie big sister, taught me how be an alpha female before she left us…she was a much better Alpha Female then I’ll ever be. She was so cool.
OK, let’s not get all mushy here. 8 years, I can’t believe it…
So, Mom and Dad, A.K.A, the maid and chauffeur, took me out for my 8th Adoptaversary Celebration lunch / dinner. I sat in the front seat of the pickup with my Dad and Mom sat in the back. I had a chickin sammich, fries and ice cream! Dad said as far as he knows, thats the 3 main food groups people talk about, I think he’s right! Tons of chickin crumbs and ice cream all over my face and I was workin it! I usually don’t like my picture taken with chicken sammich crumbs and ice cream on my face, but this time, I did! Ah, heck, we all know I love my picture taken anytime!!
Thinking back over the last 8 years, we rescued each other, that’s the way things should be.
By: Carolyn on April 15, 2017 at 9:09 pm
Happy Birthday Shelby!!! You sure don’t look your age… You are so young looking… You just never age… How do you do it…??? Must be all that ice cream!!!
You did a good job rescuing your Mom and Dad… I have never seen them happier… You sure have a knack for making people happy… There is a talent to that!!!
Please know I send you my very best and the best and happiest birthday wishes ever!!!
Hugs to the prettiest dog I have ever known!!!
By: otisandtess on April 16, 2017 at 4:26 am
What a wonderful story! So glad you found a home, and lots of people to love you!
By: maximutt on April 16, 2017 at 8:33 am
Shelby, congratulations on such a momentous occasion! You sure have done a lot in those 8 years! I’ve always said you are an amazing girl, and you’ve got some pretty amazing parents! And this post just proves it! Everyone loves you Shelby, and you have helped SO MANY people over the past 8 years! We will be seeing you in just a few weeks at the Nor Cal Tripawd Pawty, and we can’t wait!! Until then, please say “hi” to your parents and sibs for us! And enjoy all the In-n-Out, chicken, fries and ice cream you can get your paws on!!!
By: Codie Rae on April 16, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Awwww Sweet Shelby! Wasn’t your family lucky that you rescued them that day 8 years ago!! And they gave you the opportunity to be all that you can be and reach your highest calling! I know every time I see you I just can’t help but smile so I know firsthand the peace and joy that you have brought to people in need of uplifting over the years. We are all lucky that you are in our lives, hoppy adoptaversary Petite Princess! xoxo from CR and the OP
By: jerry on April 17, 2017 at 11:00 am
Shelllllby! I can’t believe eight years has gone by either. It seems like yesterday! You are just as much a puppy now as you were then. And inbetween you’ve been making such a huge impact on people’s lives. WOW! What a gift you are to your people, to us and everyone who meets you. Keep that swishy Farah Pawcett tail waggin’ my dear! xoxo HOPPY ADOPTAVERSARY!
By: mom2shelby on April 17, 2017 at 3:35 pm
Awww… Shelby .. you were one of the first to welcome me here when I started my journey. Such kindness and love your family extended to me when I was devastated with our diagnosis but so happy to have met another Shelby. And you were the first family I saw the first time I drove up to Northern CA to connect with the great souls that kept me sane through my journey. Thank you for always being so welcoming, so loving, so beautiful and so kind!!! I have loved getting to know you through the years and your wonderful family as well (truly the nicest people on earth).
I’m sad I’ll miss the next gathering due to work but I promise I’ll be back in the fall. Thank you for making the world and hospitals and sad places a better place for everyone! Hoppy Adoptevesary sweet girl!
XOXO
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)
By: benny55 on April 18, 2017 at 8:50 am
HAPPY EIGHT YEAR ADOPTAVERSARY SWEET PETITE PRINCESS SHELBY!!! Oh my goodness, you could not jave picked a better life for yourself!! 🙂 🙂
You give out so much love and you make everyone smile just by being in your presence! Yes, as Martha said, you really are here to fulfill your higher calling…And you are doing it brilliantly!!
Yiu have wuite a Fan Club Miss Shelby!! Good job! And I know Penny is cheering for you from the Bridge, I between eating ice cream and cake!
Lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!