"There is never a day that Tillie has not made us laugh. Whether it’s politely nudging my leg to remind me she could waste away soon if she doesn’t get a treat, or spinning around in circles when asked if she wants to play with her food puzzles, you can’t be around her without smiling."
My mother passed away in September of 2015. She had cancer, and I was her primary caregiver for the last few years of her life. Once she was gone, I wasn’t sure how to deal with the hole that was left in my heart.
But then I saw a photo of Tillie! I knew instantly we were meant to be together.
I called the Indiana rescue as soon as my friend sent the photo. My heart broke all over again when they said she’d been adopted an hour earlier.
But then I got a phone call—she’d been returned! My husband tried to tell me there was no shortage of dogs in Montgomery County, but my mind was made up, and off we went. She was precious and unique from the very start.
There is never a day that Tillie has not made us laugh. Whether politely nudging my leg to remind me she could waste away soon if she doesn’t get a treat or spinning around in circles when asked if she wants to play with her food puzzles, you can’t be around her without smiling.
We have faced many challenges in the last few years, and our little girl is the light of our lives. She fills every hole that I felt when Mom died.
I guess that’s why her extended health battles have felt so devastating. Initially, she had a mast cell tumor removed. But the sutures wouldn’t keep her elbow closed. Our wonderful vet has tried everything. Most recently, we’ve spent weeks returning again and again for special bandage changes. We were heartbroken to learn the only thing left to try was another surgery. The thought of it terrified us.
But beyond that—how could we ever afford it?? My husband is healing from major spine surgery. I can only work part-time. We’ve managed to live on our Social Security, but that doesn’t leave room for human and animal medical bills.
We’d come so far. We couldn’t lose our baby girl now.
It feels like your donors to Ellie’s Fund are our extended family. We have no blood relatives anywhere close by. But you are here for us. Giving our Tillie a chance. Giving us hope. It means the world to us. Thank you for your understanding and kindness. Tillie is sticking her tongue out right now, which means she wants to give you kisses. 😊
--Tillie’s Mom & Dad
