Lily's Story
 

Hi everybody! I've been lurking around here awhile and figured I should post and introduce myself and tell you a little bit about myself and my little lady before she gets here. We are adopting Lily from another family that can no longer care for her and her doggy sister the way she should be.

I'm adopting a 2 year old Yorkie mix called "Lily" and I can hardly wait. Looking around the house you'd think we already have a dog. Her bed, toys, food and treats are all waiting for her, my husband even built a little step so she can jump up and down from our bed. Lily was supposed to be here a few weeks ago but she was attacked by a dog while on a walk with her current human in their neighborhood. Very luckily, she was not critically injured but sustained a bite to her back hind quarters that required surgery. She had surgery last week to put in a drain to help prevent an abscess and was given topical and oral antibiotics to help her during this time. I've seen her twice since the attack, visited to bring her a softer collar and just check in to say hello. She's supposed to go to the vet tomorrow and have the drains removed and come home with me.

I received a message from her current human yesterday that she managed to lick the wound so severely that she removed stitches and eventually the drain. She said she would "probably be okay until Friday" and that I could come and visit her. Here's where I need moral support!! The "mom" in me just wants to go and pick her up this minute (the minute I got the message!) and provide care and attention that a healing dog deserves. I'm able to muster up a smidge of patience and understanding because today is a holiday and as this is a non-urgent situation (I hope!) we can wait to take her to her scheduled vet appointment tomorrow. I'd really like to be there although I feel pushback from her owner in this situation. Perhaps I'm creating that on my own. It's a unique one because we're adopting straight from her current owners and not going through an agency or shelter or anything and also because thankfully the owner of the dog that attacked her has accepted responsibility and she has been seen by a vet in her current neighborhood where the other dog's owner agreed to pay for her care.

All that being said, I have specifically told her owners that I'm planning on picking her up tomorrow or Saturday - whatever is best for them and for Lily. I couldn't be more ready for this little girl to be in my life, she already has a made a little paw print on my heart and we can't wait to have her in our home. I'm a compassionate person and I truly can't imagine having to give a dog up or find a new home for someone that I considered my baby. I've given them some time and tried to understand their expectations and need to have some time to transition on their own. At this point however, it really comes down to what's best for Lily and that is most certainly to be with someone who can care for her immediately and make sure those injuries heal properly. We'll see what tomorrow holds and hope together that it's time for Lily to come to her new home.

I wanted to say hello to all of you because you've become an incredible resource for me in my adventures becoming a new dog parent. I've been a dog professional for years, caring for other dogs as a trainer and caregiver. I own my own business where I, with my small staff, have been caring for animals near and far for a long time, but this will be an all new adventure and the first time my husband and I will be dog parents on our own - we both grew up with dogs of course but this will be our very own little girl. As you can imagine we are ecstatic but at the same time, we really want what's best for Lily's health and happiness and to help her have a smooth transition (this is why she stayed with her current humans after her surgery, so she wasn't in a strange place. I'm now regretting it because I think I may have been able to care for her better, this could just be my "momma bear" instinct talking).

At the risk of typing a mini-novel, I'll sign off. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the support and encouragement that you've already given me over the last few weeks. I'll keep you posted on Lily and hope to announce her homecoming soon! :love:

I know you really want to adopt Lily but this does not sound like a good situation. Lily was injured in their care and the expense of that should be on them not you and it sounds like they are wanting to pass it off to you

Welcome!!

Is that her in your avatar? Super adorable!! Congrats on your new baby. You sound like you are going to be a wonderful Yorkie Mommy!!

Hopefully you are able to pick her up soon, and when you do ( after she is settled in) hopefully we can see some pics!

Welcome again, glad to have ya!

Sending prayers that Lily is well soon and able to come home so that you can enjoy her.

Welcome. I know how excited you must be to get her home. It does sound like she would be in a much better situation with you. I think if it was me I would contact the current owner and ask if they are 100% sure they want to give her up. If they say yes I would ask to pick her up today and get her to an er vet. If that isn't an option ask to at least go with tomorrow and take her home from the vet where you can take care of her.
I understand it must be a difficult decision for them but I think it's in Lily's best interest to come home with you.

Yes you are right it is best for Lilly. I dont like it that those owners are passing the costs to you the new owner but they also may not get her the vet care she needs

The other dog owner is paying for her vet bills

Hope she heals soon and that you can bring her home

Congrats on your pending new addition! Hopefully everything gets works out soon and you can have her soon. Welcome to YT!

I can certainly understand why you want to pick her up as soon as possible. Have you asked if you can go to the vet appointment with them tomorrow? It would be good for you to get instructions from the vet about wound care and any future needs this dog may have. You also need to have a medical history of shots, worming, and any other issues she may have.

If I were you I would insist, as kindly as possible, that tomorrow be the day that you get your little dog. You have certainly been very patient and the fact that you can give her 24 hour care is certainly in the little girl's best interest.

Welcome to YT and Lily. I am so sorry that she had that accident happen to her. I know you will be so happy to have her in your care.

If I may suggest, since you are adopting her from her family, type up some kind a release form with all the info on the dog and have them sign it saying they are releasing Lily into your care. This way it protects you should there ever be any question.

Hope all goes well. I would certainly try to be at the vet appt tomorrow and bring her straight home.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
The wording should make them feel good about letting you adopt her. I suggest making two copies one for you one for her old owner. This is one we often use:


ADOPTION AGGREEMENT DATE__________________

I __________________________________ am allowing ___________________________________to adopt my dog. I transfer all responsibility, care, and medical costs to her.

please sign and date __________________________________________________ _


I _________________________________ promise to provide a safe happy home for________________________
and accept full responsibility for her care for the rest of her life.

Please sign and date
_________________________________________________


This is short, to the point and has held up in court for us.

God Bless You and congrats on Lily

Hello, nice to meet you. Lilly's injuries are being paid for by the owner of the dog that attacked her. I truly believe that ultimately once Lily moves in with us, it will be the best situation for all involved! :thumbup:

Yers Teresa this is good. It's almost like what I had the previous owner of Luci sign when I took her in as re-home.
I also specified on the form the breed of dog as well.
I made two copies and we each signed in front of each other.

Wow! Hi everyone! Thanks for your replies and messages. I left for the afternoon to attend a holiday picnic and come home to all this love. Thank you!!

Teresa, the form is brilliant. I printed two copies and will bring them with me when I pick Lily up which will hopefully be tomorrow if not Saturday.

Update: I did receive a message from the current owner today that said Lily would be available tomorrow or Saturday. She is going to the vet tomorrow and while I would insist on being there, I'm trying to be considerate of the owners and respect their privacy and patience. They have another dog that was also attacked and while she isn't as severe as Lily, she did sustain some superficial injuries and she'll be seen tomorrow as well. I will take Lily to my vet on Monday and have her assessed as well as registered properly. I agree with you all that this is certainly not an ideal situation but I do feel these humans are being brave for admitting that they cannot provide the best life for their dogs and are actively rehoming them. I do want to be firm and get Lily as soon as possible (believe me!) but I am trying to be understanding, I imagine this is extremely difficult for them.

Thanks for all of your help! I really appreciate your kind words and advice. I will surely keep you updated and post more pictures when she gets home. She needs to be groomed SO bad, I'm sure that will make for an excellent "before & after". The picture in my avatar IS Lily, a "glamour shot" that the owner sent me when we first met. Looking forward to taking many, many more!!

Happy 4th to all of you, I feel blessed to have found your wonderful community! xox

Happy 4th to you as well.

I think you are doing a great job in this. I'm so glad you found eachother.

Darnit all....another reason I will have to be checking YT every hour tomorrow waiting for an update:eek:

I can not wait till that sweetie is HOME safe and sound, with someone who I can just tell will love her and care for her... better than she has ever known....Thank you so much for sharing your story...Welcome to YT!

:O
 

OH MY GOODNESS!! LILY LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE MY LILY!!! :D mine is a mix, morkie. so glad lily is getting a good home, cant wait for more pictures!!:D:D:animal-pa

Nice to meet you! My Lily is a mix too, she's mixed with either a Chihuahua or another terrier, they didn't know. She has a fluffy tail (not docked). It looks like I will be picking her up this evening if all goes well at the vet. Fingers crossed!! :2hearts2:

I read Lily's story and I am so glad she is coming home with you!!!
:) Can't wait for the homecoming story!!! Hope all goes well at the vet appt.

Friday afternoon update! Lily had a great visit with the vet this morning and the doctor removed her drains! I mentioned that Lily had licked her stitches so severely that one of her drains came loose, because of this she was stitched up again but luckily the drains are out for good! I am going to visit her tonight (and bring the adoption agreement forms with me!) I will pick up some of her things and visit with her for a bit and TOMORROW looks like it's going to be the BIG DAY when Lily finally comes home!! Can't wait to post pictures.

Thank you all for your wonderful messages, I'll be so glad to introduce you to my girl!

Great update! Now I have to wait for another update tomorrow??? You are keeping me on my toes!! Good Luck!

So excited for you to bring her home:).

We will all be waiting for the announcement that she's home. It sounds like she will be in a much better place with you :) Thank you for taking this little girl in.

You are going to be an exceptional mommy to Lily. I can tell that you are already head over heals in love with her. How sweet. Can't wait to hear that she is safely home with you, in the comfort of a loving home with parents that have so much love to give. How exciting, I hope you are able to get a good nights rest, to prepare for the big day and homecoming. Welcome Home Lily!!!

Nighttime update!! ;)

Your support is unbelievable. Thank you all!! I get to pick Lily up in less than 10 hours! I spent the evening with her and her current humans, they made me a lovely dinner and we sat on the patio watching Lily be cute - even with her cone on! I couldn't ask for a better energy from them, I know this must be torture and I've tried to keep my excitement to a minimum out of respect that this is difficult for them. They know how very much I will love her and what a great life she will be able to have with me that they cannot give her. I left them a copy of the adoption agreement with my info written in, this way they can fill theirs out tonight or in the morning and just discuss between them what this all really means for their family. I will pick the agreement up in the morning when I get my little lady.

I'm very excited but also SO NERVOUS. Coming back to this thread to read your encouraging messages really made me feel good. Knowing that I have an amazing support group here at YT is just making this experience so much more enjoyable. THANK YOU!!! See you in the morning!

PS - Not to worry, we will sign together tomorrow morning and each take a copy of the exact same agreement!! Just wanted to clarify! Thanks for your help with that Teresa!

:cupcake3:

Wonderful update, I appreciate your concern for Lily's owners feelings. I can only imagine what they are going through, they are making the ultimate sacrifice for lily's sake and I think that's pretty awesome. They can rest assured that she is going to a very caring home, where she will be able to thrive as a member of your family. May they be blessed in life for doing what's best...as you will be blessed with Lily. Can't think of a sweeter outcome and can't wait to hear she's home...

Hi, and welcome to YT!

From what I've read, your doing the best that you can for Lily and her sister. Waiting is so hard to do, but I'm sure the current owners just wanted to get through the injury before handing her over. (Specially since they are the ones who are making the attacking dog's owners pay the vet bill for it). I can't wait to hear more about her and their arrival at your home! Post a few pictures of your pups when you can!