As much as we hate sharing heartbreaking news, we wanted to inform you with the deepest sadness that our precious Prince Phillip has gained his Angel wings. He passed peacefully in his sleep, by Sanctuary mom’s side, knowing nothing but kindness, compassion, love and dignity.
When he entered our doors, he immediately took the vacant throne left empty since the passing of our fearless Foxy. He became ruler over the Senior Center, as if he had lived here his entire life. Now he graces the heavens with his royal spirit. We are left with shattered hearts, and know you all share this devastating loss with us.
Mere hours from euthanasia, we received an urgent, heartbreaking code red from our Philadelphia shelter partner about an abandoned senior dog in horrific condition.
He was found wandering on the cold streets, helpless, at a mere 3.5 pounds, the plea for help broke our hearts. We immediately took him under our wing and into our care.
He was feisty, fought his way back to health and enjoyed his final chapter of life surrounded by the love and care he should have received his entire life. He became fast friends with little Marvin, who arrived about a week before, and they became inseparable. They would do everything together, it was an instant bond, Phil became Marvin’s protector. Due to Marvin’s past, and the extreme level of neglect he endured, his time with us was very short, leaving Phil devastated, but also that much more determined to live life for the both of them, and he did!
All the dogs here in Sanctuary respected him as if they knew he was in charge. They always waited for Phil to do something first, then they’d follow. No matter which dog came through our doors, no one else measured up to be his close friend. No other dog was allowed on the couch in the Senior Center, and absolutely no one was permitted to touch or rest in Marvin’s bed. Phil guarded that bed as if Marvin had never left.
Phil often ate food out of 2 different bowls at the same time. We used to joke he was eating for Marvin too, that’s how much Phil loved food and how he eventually got to a very healthy weight. And for a dog with so many medical issues including testicular cancer, he was unstoppable. He never let anything deter his zest for life.
When we started to notice our tiny Prince slowing down, the unthinkable happened – a tiny dog also in horrific condition came through our doors, and she was allowed on the couch and into little Marvin’s bed. Phil quickly bonded with her and it was almost as if he was teaching her everything she needed to know to take over as leader. She followed his every move and they became inseparable.
There is a belief that animals plan their passing in advance – they put events in motion to make sure who will be there, or not, where, and when it will take place, and how it happens. And we believe Phil wanted to make sure his role here was filled by just the right dog, and then he left us leaving Princess Prada to continue the legacy Foxy began.
Every dog deserves to be seen, celebrated, and deeply loved, especially the seniors, hospice and special needs pups who find their way to Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary.
We take on the pain of the goodbye so they never have to feel the pain of being alone. Giving them a soft place to land for the rest of their lives; no matter how long or short that may be is our purpose.
It is our hope that Prince Phillip knows how very much he was loved, adored and that if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever!
You will always live on in our hearts Phil – you were taken way too soon. We were blessed to have known and been able to love you with our whole hearts!
We would like to acknowledge Phil’s generous sponsor Mami for assisting us with his care and helping give us the ability to provide him with everything he needed and then some. Thank you also for taking the time to visit, assist in hands-on care and spend quality time loving him, even if all the while he yelled at you. On behalf of little Phil, we thank you from the bottom of his heart and ours. It is supporters like yourselves who are the driving force behind what we do.
Thank you to each and everyone of our followers and supporters for caring, for being a support to us and for being a part of the best days of Phil’s life!