He had limited means, but unlimited love.
Late one night in May, a pit bull named Princess was struck by a car, leaving her badly injured and unable to walk properly.
Her owner, Curtis, was devastated.
Having recently become homeless, he knew he couldn’t afford the emergency veterinary care Princess desperately needed. But giving up was never an option.
Instead, he made sure his beloved companion had the best chance possible.
Spending the Night Outside the Clinic
In the early hours of the morning, around 4 a.m., Curtis carried Princess to the entrance of Angels of Assisi, a nonprofit animal shelter and veterinary clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, that provides affordable and accessible care for pets whose families are struggling financially.
Wrapped in a blanket, Princess rested beside her owner on the concrete outside the clinic.
Curtis stayed with her for hours, comforting her until the staff arrived and opened the doors later that morning.
Unbeknownst to him, the shelter’s security cameras quietly captured the touching scene.
“Folks will go to great lengths to help their animals,” Angels of Assisi Executive Director Lisa O’Neill told The Dodo.
‘She’s Family’
For Curtis, waiting outside all night wasn’t an extraordinary act—it was simply what family does.
“I felt that was my duty,” Curtis said. “Ain’t no ifs, ands or buts. I found it necessary to console my dog at that time. Princess means a whole lot to me. We’re inseparable family.”
His only concern was making sure Princess knew she wasn’t alone.
Emergency Care Arrives Just in Time
As soon as the veterinary team arrived, they rushed Princess inside for treatment.
The examination revealed several painful injuries.
One of her front legs had been dislocated, and several of her teeth had been damaged in the accident. Thankfully, veterinarians were able to put her shoulder back into place without surgery.
She also suffered nerve damage affecting her back legs, requiring ongoing rehabilitation and recovery.
A Clinic That Refused to Turn Them Away
Despite Curtis’ financial situation, Angels of Assisi never hesitated to help.
“We’re not charging Princess’ dad a dime for any of the care,” O’Neill said. “We’re here to help people.”
The organization originally opened as a free spay-and-neuter clinic but eventually expanded into a full-service veterinary hospital after recognizing how many families struggled to access affordable pet care.
“You get the best possible care no matter what you can afford,” O’Neill explained. “We believe animals deserve that. And all families—regardless of income or situation—deserve to have the love of an animal.”
A Bond That Never Wavers
While Princess continues healing, Curtis visits her as often as he can.
He brings her food, spends time playing with her outdoors, and showers her with affection every chance he gets.
“She lights up when she sees her dad,” O’Neill said. “I think that he clearly does everything in his power to take care of her. It’s just the love between a man and his dog.”
For Curtis, seeing Princess improve has been an incredible relief.
“I thank God that she’s still here,” he said. “She’s so special to me.”
Getting Stronger Every Day
Princess has made remarkable progress since arriving at the clinic.
The dog who once struggled to stand is now able to walk again. While she still has a slight wobble from her injuries, she continues getting stronger with each passing day.
Her recovery is ongoing, but the future looks much brighter than it did on the night of the accident.
Hoping for the Best Possible Future
Everyone at Angels of Assisi hopes Princess will eventually be healthy enough to reunite fully with Curtis.
“In our hearts, we want her to be reunited with her dad and, hopefully, that’ll be the outcome,” O’Neill said.
She also emphasized that if Princess ultimately requires a lifestyle different from what Curtis can provide, the organization will continue supporting both of them while helping determine what’s best for the dog.
No matter what happens next, Princess’s well-being will remain the top priority.
A Love That Can’t Be Measured
Through every hardship, Curtis has never questioned his commitment to Princess.
“I’m committed to my dog,” he said. “I love her. It’s a bond that I hold dear.”
Their story is a powerful reminder that love isn’t measured by money or circumstances. Sometimes, the greatest act of devotion is simply refusing to leave someone’s side when they need you most.