Family adopts dog from Madison Police

A Madison girl and her family welcomed a new furry friend to their family just in time for Christmas.

Sylvia Ford, 13, of Madison, adopted Princess Blue last week from the Webster Animal Shelter. Princess was one of 11 dogs seized in a traffic stop by Madison Police in October believed to have been involved in a dog fighting ring.

‘She is really sweet,” Sylvia said. “I love her.”

Her mother, Timekia Ford, said Princess has been abused and shows signs of fear when the broom comes out but has been such a sweet and loving dog.

“She is a perfect fit for our family,” Timekia said. “We just had to get her.”

Timekia said the family had been looking for a dog since Max, a pet the family had for 18 years, passed away in September. She noted that Princess is the first big dog the family has had. Princess joins Charlie, another rescue.

The rest of the Ford household is rounded out by David, Sylvia’s father and Grant her six-year-old brother.

The Fords first met Princess about two months ago at the shelter. Sylvia has a heart for animals and makes frequent visits to the shelter. She said the dog followed her around and got in her lap at one point and would not move.

“Thats when I knew she had to come home with me,” Sylvia said. ‘She melted my heart.”

At the time they first met the dog, Sylvia was in a wheelchair due to a rare condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Sylvia is an active student at Germantown Middle School where her many activities include the dance team.

At the time she met the dog she was set to go to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Fla., for six weeks of physical therapy training that would get her back on her feet.

Princess was Sylvia’s motivation while she was in Florida. Timekia said their friends at the shelter sent them photos of Princess regularly while she was away.

“Princess was Sylvia’s motivation to get up and walk,” Timekia said. "She looked forward to getting home so we could pick up Princess.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Madison Police Lt. Micah Taylor announced that the seized dogs would be available for adoption. A week later the Fords took Princess home, though one day later than had been expected.

“She got into some birthday cake and had to be watched overnight because she had a stomach ache,” Timekia said.

Timekia said Princess has warmed up to the luxury and pampering of the Ford home quite nicely.

“She is just a couch potato,” Timekia said. “Princess is spoiled rotten.”

Princess still has scars from her life in captivity. A portion of the other dogs seized were her puppies and Webster Animal Shelter is working to find each of those dogs a home like their mother’s. 

For more information contact Webster Animal Shelter at 601-605-4729 or visit https://www.facebook.com/websteranimalshelter.