My Lilly, too, is not without her own story, and the story of Milagra is only too common, sadly enough. Lilly was sold by a greedy breeder to a family with a small child, too small to be able to treat her with gentle hands. The toddler abuse became so severe that the owner actually returned Lilly to the breeder. A friend of mine, a term I use loosely, bought Lilly to use as a breeding bitch and moved her into a home with two "large" small dogs...a Havanese and a very large Maltese. The community feeding arrangement allowed Lilly to eat a few leftover kernels daily if that. She was placed in a Maccaw's cage as entertainment and left in a dark room alone all day long. I opted to be a foster parent while this person got her puppy store up and running. When I got her home, she was matted, 3.5 lbs. with a toy frame, bite marks on her face and neck, and ribs sticking out. I knew she belonged with me. I offered this person money and one breeding. I then lied about Lilly's not coming into her first heat, all the while knowing the puppy store was not going to last, and by the time Lilly came into her second heat, the puppy store was closed. I had her spayed and she has been my loyal beautiful love since that time. She is now 4 yrs., 7.5 lbs., and has a new baby brother, Jesse, with almost the very same story. The miracle in all of this is that you had the heart to take her in and nurture her to the dog she is today. This is a miracle story about a miracle puppy, one that not only brought tears to my eyes, but the realization that kindness comes in all forms. People like you are not common in today's world and it is only my pleasure to have met you. God bless you and your furbabies....Lisa, Lilly & Jesse |