Phoebe was a 9-year old dog who was found abandoned, missing an eye and part of her ear with crooked teeth. Against expectations, she was adopted by Susan and lived a happy life, helping others through her story of finding love despite her flaws. However, Phoebe's health declined and she eventually died of kidney failure on Christmas Eve, but her legacy of inspiring others by showing that inner beauty is more important than outer appearance will live on.

1. Every so often, something really special happens in the animal rescue world that gives
hope to the cause.
Such was the story of the life of the wonderful canine known to us as Ms. Phoebe, who
passed over the Rainbow Bridge on Christmas Eve.
Against all odds and obstacles, she did something no one ever expected her to do. She
found a place in someone's heart, and happiness in a forever home.
The journey began four years ago, under the same circumstances as most abandoned
animals: stuffed in a carrier in the dark of night. She was left by the dumpster at Cats Are
Us here in Clarksville.
The nine year old dog had already been dealt a rough hand and didn't have much going
for her. She was missing one eye missing, and part of her left ear. Her crooked teeth
made her look even stranger. She was unattractive, unkempt, and unspayed.
But even though physically defective, a light of love and devotion dazzled within this dog
like that of a shining star.
Her picture was posted on the petfinder.com website along with the other adoptable
animals. No one thought Phoebe (then named Jackie), would ever leave the shelter walls.
Now, I've always said that angels speak to people and pair them with the animal they
need and that needs them. Some people hear those tiny voices, and sadly some people
ignore them and close their hearts. They miss out on the wonderful love and devotion
they could have had, leaving the animal's purpose is never fulfilled and leaving its
existence to fate.
Poor little Jackie patiently waited for the day that someone would answer the whispering
of the angels and find her.

2. Susan Green of Lexington, Kentucky heard them loud and clear. She was looking
through the adoptable pets on the petfinder.com site when she came upon Jackie's picture.
She fell in love with the gentle disfigured face that she saw. A few days later, Jackie
became Phoebe, and Susan became Mommy.
Phoebe lived the life of Riley with Susan and her family. What amazed her new Mom the
most was Phoebe's undying devotion and her willingness to follow her anywhere; even
into the bathroom.
Phoebe enjoyed the best of care, and constant love and attention. She was pampered and
even had her own wading pool to cool herself from the summer sun.
The story of Phoebe's adoption spread through to rescuers and shelters all over. Through
that tale, Phoebe and Susan have helped animals in similar situations, pushing home the
morals of, "Never judge a book by its cover", "Beauty is only skin deep." And "Anything
is Possible".
Little unwanted, un-pretty, Phoebe: who someone had dumped in the night, was a rescuer
in her own right.
A few months ago, Phoebe's health began to fail. Her mobility became to lessened, her
appetite faded, and she began to experience kidney trouble.
On Christmas Eve, Phoebe went into kidney failure. The decision to end her suffering
was made, and the light that had burned so bright and touched so many hearts, faded from
our sight and into God's.
Phoebe lived her natural life in a flawed body, but I know in my heart that the moment
she trotted into Heaven, she was whole, perfect and ready to play.

3. That's a fitting end for Miss. Phoebe: running free and unblemished in the fields of the
Lord.
Phoebe's legacy will inspire others. I wanted to share it with all of you. I have re- told it
1000 times, so we can chalk this one 1001.
This is for Phoebe and Susan, and for all the creatures out there those have that tiny flaw
and are waiting for that one special person who will accept them, defects included, and
see the true beauty they hold inside.
One day they will finally hear," I love you."