My name is Princess, which suits me very well, as sometimes when I am working I wear pearls and my tiara.
 

What an exciting life I have had so far. When I was born, I was destined to be great…I guess, that is why my parents put me in the Canine Partners for Life Program.
 

I learned a lot that first year and a half of my life. I lived with a prison inmate in Cambridge Springs Women's State Correctional Institute. My person there, well she really needed help. She needed me to help her be a more responsible person, and she did that, and more. She taught me basic obedience skills. She loved me; I miss her, my first real person.
 

Then, I was trained, graduated, and ready to go into society. I got placed with a young child that had some physical disabilities. I loved being there too, but then the child developed allergies. As it turns out, they were allergies to me, sad for me…so, my journey continued.
 

I remember the first day of being with Faith, my new Mom. The Bellefonte Courthouse was big, with cold floors (it was December 2009 in Pennsylvania) and not a real warm and fuzzy environment. When I met Mom, I knew I was at the right place, although I still had no idea what I was going to do there with her.
 

Then I met Stacy and lots of other great people. I am working in the Centre County District Attorney's office. Wow, what an honor! Soon I find out that I will be helping children. Sadly, there are people who do bad things to children - why I wonder?
 

Normally I just hang out under Mom's desk, but when I hear the children's voices I go to the door, excited to see them. As it turns out, they are happy to see me too. Mom tells me that before I was here, the children never wanted to come in, but now they want to see me. They like hanging out with me, and I like hanging out with them.
 

Some of the children have a hard time talking to the adults in the courtroom, but they can talk, or whisper to me. Then, it makes it easier for them to talk to the adults. I sit there quietly, nuzzled by their feet, while they talk. They can reach down and pet me anytime they need to and that makes us both feel better. I keep their secrets and they keep mine, like where in Mom's office I hid my favorite beanie baby. After a long day in court, sometimes we fall asleep together, both feeling safe.
 

Some days Mom and I get in the police car and go see the children at their home or at the police station. I like going to see them and making them smile. I wasn't sure what to think the first time I saw a police car, with the lights and siren, but now I happily jump in.
 

One of the best parts of the day is when the children walk with Mom and me out of the courtroom. Mom lets them hold my leash and we go outside. I wag my tail, and they sit down and hug me, right there in the grass. Then I know that the hard part is over for them, well at least for that day.
 

Their smiles, their tears, their love…each and every one holds a special place in my heart. I love it here and hope to be here for a really long time.
 

Love, Princess
 

  • Order Fur Ball tickets (October 1)
 

  • I can't attend but I would still like to make a special gift to PAWS