Here’s a great reminder that we can be all unstoppable.
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This is Tilly.
She is a Tibetan spaniel born with short spine syndrome – a condition wherein the dog’s vertebrae are compressed, making it look shorter. The compression can happen on its neck or its back. But what makes Tilly different from other dogs is also what makes her special.
That’s what Anna Marie Giannini believes.
Giannini saw an online advertisement about a litter of puppies to be given away, just in her neighborhood. Without any doubt, she headed to their place to check on the puppies hoping to give one a forever home.
Then, she saw Tilly and knew she was special.
She may look different than other pups, but that didn’t matter to Giannini.
She said that the previous owners had no idea what Tilly’s condition was and weren’t sure if she would live long.
They also mentioned that she was in danger of being euthanized since her appearance made it difficult for them to find someone to adopt her.
“I had already fallen in love with her and planned out our next year together in my head before he was even done saying that awful statement,” Giannini recalled of that day.
And when Tilly was in her arms, she made it her life’s mission to not make this precious puppy feel unwanted again.
That moment changed both of their lives.
“She fits 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.”
Tilly’s spine became more apparent as she grew.
But this little fluff ball just showed everyone there’s nothing that could stop her.
She might get a few curious stares from humans (and dogs, too), but she doesn’t mind. Other dogs play gently with her, but she shows them she can level their energy all the time. (But thanks for the kindness, doggos!)
She loves taking walks…
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Playing with her dog siblings…
And lots of naps, hugs, and kisses.
She can be pretty goofy, too!
Giannini is thankful that Tilly didn’t have any other health conditions that came with her short spine.
She’s perfectly healthy and moves like any other dog out there.
The only thing that Tilly has difficulty with is moving around furniture – particularly the bed. Thanks to Santa’s present, she now has a set of stairs to help her move up to the bed as she pleases.
Tilly must have been on Santa’s ‘nice’ list to get this gift!
This friendly loaf came as a blessing for Giannini.
“Tilly reminds me on a daily basis that I should be thankful for another day,” she said. “She constantly reminds me that being different is a special thing,” she added.
And this serves as a great reminder for all of us, too.
Thank you, Tilly, for inspiring us!
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