She listened to her Dad and brother exchange stories of winning their Championships. Dad's stories were the best about Barbara, their handler.  Dad insisted,    he is her favorite. "Barbara and I had many 'firsts'. Going to 'Westminster', was only one of them." He'd say, "Son, they never forget their first." Excalibur bragged.   They spoke about Sir Galahad being in the far off land of California.  "Galahad is preparing with Master Peter and Master Clive, to caring the colors of Camelot." Excalibur stated "We will soon be hearing of his Championship." Lancelot added

         Damsel tried acting big, throwing her shoulders back and standing her ground, with the bigger ladies in waiting. She wanted to be special,  just like her father and her brother.    But, the 'show' ring was not in her future.                                  

                             Then one day, there was a tragic accident befell Damsel, leaving her unconscious and dying.   The Doctors had no hope for her.  They said she is in a coma and her brain was swelling. "Let her go", they said, "she is too small to survive". But they didn't know, she has the heartof a Dragon. "She is a fighter", we said, "do every thing you can to save her". Days went by, as she lay in a coma. Her breathing was shallow. Her head was swollen and bruised. It seemed so hopeless. We would caress her and tell her that she is special and that she could prove it, to all these people. "Just wake up, Damsel and they will see". And wake up, she did.  She even wagged her tail, just a little bit. Her big beautiful eyes were full of hope and fear and her little body was so weak.   She tried to move, but could not.  The Doctors and nurses watched on, some cried, just to watch this little girl struggle to live. 

Critical anemia, the blood work revealed. Her body was too tired to go on. "Her body was shutting down", they said. "It is time to let her go". But how could they know; they never saw her throw her shoulders back and command respect, from all those other 'Ladies in waiting'.  They never heard her growl and stand her ground.  "She has the heartof a Dragon"we told them. "Give her blood and whatever will help her and you'll see.  She is special. She wants to live and she will. "  We gave her blood and tapped her bladder. We tube fed her and she fought and fought.  We told her about Lance and how he was doing with Sharon, his specials handler. "He is a special now, Damsel", we told her.   Her face would light up and the fire would appear in her eyes. Then, slowly, she began to make a turn for the better.....and better.....each day, better and better.

          One day, upon returning from the hospital,  Merlin wasn't there to  greet us at the door.   "Merlin where are you?"  We were looking every where,  when we found him   in a corner of the library.    His back was hunched over,  and he was making sounds we had never heard before, not  from any of the dogs.    Approaching slowly,  we began to  see what was happening.  He had arranged his bones  in a triangle over a clump of Maltese hair.   He waved a paw over the pile and threw his head back  letting out a very strange sound.    It was clear, Merlin was conjuring up a spell.   After all, Damsel was his sister.    We clung to any hope, and who knows anyway,   about the powers of a wizard.

                       She did best at home, in Camelot.  So, we got her a special incubator and nursed her around the clock.  Weeks went by and Damsel kept getting stronger. She tried to walk with great difficulty. But when your special, that's just what you do, you keep trying.

                        Today, eight months later, Damsel is no longer in distress. She is quite the Lady. She's been through her first 'heat'. There are no traces of her tragic accident. Well, maybe in the hearts and minds of those who watched this special little Maltese make a miraculous recover. Damsel proved that a lot of heart can overcome the impossible.

We heard her telling  Guinevere,     "It doesn't matter how big your body is or your reputation, if you want to be special, you just need a big heart."