Laila's Love Story
The supporters of Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund helped to bring the light back into Laila’s eyes. I see more and more of her true personality with each walk we are now able to take. She is back to playing with my other dogs and enjoying her life to its fullest. Laila was always the light at the end of the tunnel for me in my times of need… I am thankful that when she needed it most, Ellie’s Fund could be the light for her.
A Message from Laila's Mom...
Just after I got her when she was still a young puppy, Laila witnessed me having a panic attack. She started barking and howling and licking my face. She proceeded to run and bark at my mom for help. We were blown away.
Laila coming into my life was the best thing that could’ve happened. It wasn’t long before we became inseparable. Laila and I had become so connected that she had naturally picked up on changes preceding my emotional struggles (like my panic attacks) without any formal training. Once we realized this, my Mom and I started working with her and training her to perform specific tasks for my needs. Her training consisted of alerting me when I became anxious, applying pressure to my pressure points, alerting my mom or a person nearby if needed, getting me my needed anxiety medication at onset of or during a panic attack, making me feel more confident, comfortable, and safe.
Laila has been a true emotional support dog for both me and my mother. We have both experienced trauma and she helps us physically and emotionally. There are times that I think if I didn’t have Laila by my side, I wouldn’t be able to keep going. I am a college student training to work with kids with special needs, in addition to being a family caretaker at times. I honestly think if I didn’t have Laila, I wouldn’t have made it through the past few years. I wouldn’t have kept fighting. I would have given up. I needed her so much and relied on her for support. Of course, I still do!
In late 2019, Laila began limping. After diagnostic testing and a second opinion, I knew she had torn her cruciate ligament and needed surgery. TTA surgery is expensive. I saved and borrowed money so she could get the necessary surgery. I was told that the surgeon was extremely qualified and respected.
After 12 weeks of strict cage rest, Laila was still in pain. X-rays confirmed she had a break in the leg. Which meant more cage rest. She was never the same after that. For the next two years, she was on daily anti-inflammatory medication for pain. I was told that there was nothing they could do for her.
I couldn’t bear it anymore and saved up money to take her to a different vet. After more testing I was told that the original surgeon had not fixed her ACL. She still needed to have it stabilized. WHAT? I have spent almost $10,000 over the past several years to fix my girl and end her pain only to find out that I trusted the wrong person and something different should have been done. I was devasted.
But there was hope for her. IF I could afford yet another surgery. With financial assistance, Laila had one more chance to be restored to the happy loving compassionate dog that she is. Enter Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund.
Your supporters helped to bring the light back into Laila’s eyes. I see more and more of her true personality with each walk we are now able to take. She is back to playing with my other dogs and enjoying her life to its fullest.
Laila was always the light at the end of the tunnel for me in my times of need… I am thankful that when she needed it most, Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund could be the light for her!
