Adopting a dog is an act of kindness. Many dogs need a home and a human who will love and take care of them.
There are also dogs waiting to be adopted that do not only need a home, but also special care because of their physical challenges.
One dog that had that experience is a Tibetan Spaniel puppy called Tilly.
Tilly was born with a deformity and she desperately needed a human that would give her a chance at life.
Tilly has short spine syndrome. The condition has stunted the growth of her spine and made her back shorter than what is considered normal for her breed. The condition also makes Tilly appear as if she doesn’t have a neck.
Luckily for Tilly, a woman named Giannini decided to adopt her. Other people would have rejected Tilly, or might have second thoughts because they were afraid of not meeting the puppy’s needs.
But, Tilly’s soon to be human had been resolute in her decision.
Giannini knew that Tilly was the puppy that she wanted to keep while she was visiting the place that was putting a litter of puppies for adoption.
She learned that the puppy could be euthanized soon if no one adopted her. But, she wouldn’t let that happen. At that point, she was already in love with the puppy and had already decided to keep her as a pet.
In the interview with The Dodo, Giannini also remembers the realization that she had while driving to take the puppy home. When the puppy looked at her, Giannini realized that it was not only the puppy that needed her. She knew that she needed the puppy too.
“When I got her, she was this dirty little fluff ball,” Giannini said. “She fit perfectly inside my hand, and as we drove home from where I picked her up, she lay in my lap and looked up at me with her big brown eyes, and I knew she needed me and I needed her.”
Giannini takes good care of Tilly and sees to it that the puppy’s needs are met. Because Tilly’s growth is stunted due to her spine condition, her body is much shorter than what is considered normal for a dog like her.
Tilly is a healthy dog, however. In many ways, Tilly is just like any other pet dog. She can do whatever her dog friends do, according to the website.
Giannini mentions in the interview with the website that her furry pet has been able to adjust and thrive in spite of her condition. She also adds that although Tilly has a short spine, the dog has not experienced having “health issues or complications” because of it.
“She was born with a syndrome, and just like humans born with a syndrome, her body has learned to adapt and she is thriving,” Giannini said. “She has had no health issues or complications because of her short spine, and [we] expect her to live a long, healthy life.”
View this post on Instagram
Tilly does have limitations due to her short spine, but her loving human is always there for her to help out.
Giannini provided Tilly with special stairs that the small dog can use to climb up and down furniture. Since Tilly is not able to turn her head to reach some parts of her body, her human is much obliged to give her scratches and a little massage throughout the day.
Tilly has her own Instagram account in which photos and videos of her adventures are posted.
The dog with a short spine syndrome is lucky to have been adopted by Giannini. In one Instagram photo of Tilly, Giannini adds a caption that has a powerful message:
“Standing proud for what you believe: no matter what you look like, your background, or your past, you deserve just as much happiness and freedom as anyone else in the world.”
View this post on Instagram
What an inspiring story! If you want to learn more about Tillie, check out her Instagram page.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
