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Dogs have been described by a lot of sweet names that befits them but the first word that comes to mind when dogs are mentioned in the heart of many is usually “Loyalty”. Every day, every dog lives up to this given noun and never fails to show humans how they’ve come to earn this name in the first place. In every living creation, dogs’ loyalty is one of the few ones that if tested or not, remains unwavering no matter the situation or condition they meet themselves or are subjected to by their owners. If dogs can be loyal to humans even when they aren’t treated right or abandoned, how much do you think the depth of their loyalty and love could go when in an environment where they are treated with kindness, love, and care? Such is the story of Lily, a German shepherd who went through one of the most terrible experiences and came out stronger.
THE DISTURBED DOG
Coming from grass to grace isn’t an easy fit as one would have seen the worse of the worst while trying to find one’s place in the world. Lilly before living in a new home, having a loving family, and an adorable sibling, had a life where she was abused, neglected, and not well-fed.
Lilly was living with a middle-aged man who never cared for her, he would lock her outside the house with a meal daily and no roof to cover her head, come rain, come sun, morning, afternoon, and night, Lily was always chained outside the house uncared for. Bath, treats, walks, or playing with toys were a luxury she wasn’t allowed or accorded. The man would flog her at any given moment when he felt like he needed to punish her and her barks would echo into the neighborhood, calling for help from anyone. This went on for a long time and soon became a disturbing phenomenon for one of their close neighbors who decided enough was enough and wanted to help Lily out of the miserable condition. Taking away the innocent dog from the man isn’t something she alone could do, though she decided to rescue the dog, she needed to report to the appropriate authorities after gathering undeniable evidence to back up her claims so the man wouldn’t deny it and try to keep the dog for longer claiming she’s a guard dog. The woman set up a camera facing and circling the man’s porch where the dog has been chained since the man got him.
The man continued his abuse unknown to him that someone was watching and planning to save the dog from him. The camera captured several moments where the man would spray water on the dog sometimes, beat her as he always does, and never release her to seek the fun and pleasure every dog deserves. The woman decided it was enough evidence and went to the appropriate authorities to report the abuse on the innocent canine who all she ever wanted was the love and affection of its owner.
Lily had always wanted help but had already grown weary and fed up with her situation, not only was she starved and now looking skinny and emaciated but she was also struggling for her life with too many beatings. It was a huge relief for Lilly as she set her eyes on the rescue workers who had come to take her away from the everyday abuse and neglect.
SAVING LILLY.
Lilly was rushed to the hospital where after she was thoroughly examined, it was found out that she had several old fractures that weren’t treated and had healed on their own, and had fresh bruises and injuries in addition to her skinny body. It was such a sad moment for everyone. Regardless, they all looked forward to her healing and her seeing the loving and caring side of the world that was unknown to her. She was placed on medical treatment, some of which comprised antibiotics therapy and painkillers to numb the pain and an appropriate diet to aid speedy recovery. Everyone especially the woman stood by her throughout the arduous process of recovery and day by day, Lily started forming a bond with these people as her way of showing appreciation. Everyone loved Lily and wondered why anyone would ever treat such an innocent and loving dog in such a way, and that question might somehow remain unanswered. The woman took it up a notch and would bring her 4-year-old daughter and husband to encourage Lily and let her know that she’s loved, has been strong and now she has a village of people looking out for her through this journey. Lily was discharged in sound health and into the safe hands of the rescue workers who would make the important decision to hand her over to a parent(s) who would love and care for her. She was taken to the shelter in the hope of a better future.
As luck would have it, after two weeks in the shelter where she had bonded well with other dogs while playing with them on the field the woman who had reported his case walked in to adopt Lily. The woman had traveled by the time she was discharged and upon her return, she and her husband had decided to take her in and give her the best shot at life. That and because their daughter loved the dog just as much as they did. The shelter workers were happy for Lily as a result of where she would be getting her happily ever after, who had the best chance to give her a better life to Lily than the one who had witnessed her devastating past firsthand, been the one to save her and has walked with her throughout the journey of healing? Lily was taken into her forever home where she would be loved and cared for. With the 3-3-3 rule, Lily soon started adjusting to the transition to a loving home and family who would spoil her silly with cuddles, hugs, kisses, and treats. What a turn in her life’s events!!
THE CANINE HERO.
All of these life-changing challenges happened to Lily not knowing she would one day be in the news for her bravery and courage in protecting her sibling by showcasing her loyalty to the woman who had saved her and given her a much better life. Lily had the perfect life with her new family which comprises of the woman, her husband, and their daughter who is Lily’s sibling and best friend. Not only did they love her and have been helping her heal both physically and mentally over time but they also cared for her and let her know they did in every way possible. Going on evening walks, playing fetch on the field while on a picnic or a weekend away with the family, going for regular medical checkups and sightseeing have become a normal activity in her life.
Unexpectedly one day, their girl went missing throwing her parents into a frenzy and panic. The woman was crying helplessly hoping the police could find her child as soon as possible and the husband even though also in tears was calming his wife down hoping their child could be found. They feared the worst had happened to her when she wasn’t found three days later. The child had followed her father’s car unknown to them when the mother was busy in the kitchen but as her best friend, Lily had followed her wanting to keep her safe.
This happened during the harsh cold weather when it was difficult to survive without shelter and a warm cloth or blanket at hand, this for a child is like a life sentence. The police and their community set out to look for the child when they found the dog covering her body to warm the child up from the harshness of cold in a small shelter in the woods so she wouldn’t have hypothermia and die before rescue could come for them. The child was taken home warm in sharp contrast to the weather outside. The dog was freezing instead of the child, and she was also taken up to warm her up.
Everyone who had witnessed this couldn’t believe a dog could have done that to save her best friend and savior’s daughter. The parents were relieved to see their daughter but also happy and grateful for the gift of Lily as they hugged and kissed her.
Lily made the news the following day and the news of her bravery, intelligence, and courage to move swiftly into action in such a time of a matter between life and death spread like wildfire across the city. Everyone named Lily “the canine hero” and that name stuck with her forever. Lily’s story continues to inspire people as she continues to get showered with love and affection from her favorite humans in the world.