Lily's transformation
 

It's only been a day, and already this little angel has completely transformed. Really within just the first few hours. From a terrified, dirty, matted dog the shelter workers kept asking me "are you SURE you want to take this on?", to a cherished part of my family and heart forever. Lily shall never again know what abuse, neglect, hunger, or heartache is.

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This was Lily's shelter photo. Notice how they're hanging back and have a towel up, it just breaks my heart she was being treated as a vicious and dangerious dog - When in reality, she was just scared to death. She's not a mean dog at all, she just needed to be told she was safe!

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The transformation begins - Wrapped in towels to help her feel more secure, you can still see the sadness and fear in her eyes. This is the first time I held my darling Lily.

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This doesn't even really show how dirty and matted she was, but gives you a good idea as she looks FORWARD, never backward, she seemed to know her life had just changed forever.

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On the way home "Is it really over, am I really safe now?"

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"Oh you're NOT taking me back? OH YAY!" As soon as I told her she was safe now, her whole body language and expression changed - Look at that smile, the first Lily smile!

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"The seatbelt doesn't reach far enough mommy, I can't reach you!", as soon as I told her she was safe, she suddenly wanted to be as close to me as she could get, wanting to make sure this was all for real!

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Outside for her first walk, this is actually just outside the vet's clinic I took her to.

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"So many good smells here mommy"

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Waiting to be seen at the vet, gives you an idea how bad her poor eye is

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Her cataract covered right eye

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The full horror of her left eye - Bloody, swollen, and painful, also cataract covered.

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Bathed, brushed out, and groomed - Looking like a new dog!

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"See mom, I know how to sit!", so cute, she loves to see what she can do to please me!

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"I love you mommy, just snuggle me" - Not bad for a "vicious" dog, huh?

Quite a transformation - From the terrified, injured stray nobody would touch, to the treasured baby girl who's currently curled up beside me, little Lily hasn't shown me a single sign of the dog the shelter workers knew. Not once has she growled of offered to bite, even as the vet examined her poor eye and carried out his exam on her arthritic legs. They said she wouldn't eat - Yet she eats with gusto here! Proof positive that a little love and care goes a LONG ways!

Wow, what a beautiful girl. I'm so glad you saved her and showed her that she can be loved. Thank you for taking her in :)

Omgosh she is a doll baby! You are so right a little love goes a long way! That's so great:)

She's a joy, I'm so glad I saw her on death row, and managed to convince them to let me pull her! She wouldn't have stood a chance if I hadn't!

Just looked at her shelter picture again adn for the first time noticed the leather gloves they're wearing :( So terribly sad that she was so terrified that gloves and a thick towel where the only ways they could touch her!

Lily has found a true hero in you. What an amazing transformation. All you need is love!

Match made in heaven, you are both angels!

Wow these pictures made me cry... you are truly an Angel, Mommy! Thank you so much for saving her.

She is Beautiful!

This is by far my favorite thread from yorkietalk, thanks for sharing your and Lilly\'s story with us. Amazing to see her transform in a matter of minutes/hours.

I\'ve been doing rescue for many years now - and I must say I have never seen such an immediate physical and emotional turn around in a dog! There are of course still things we\'re working on, especially with her poor eye - But she\'s a happy, sweet, loving little girl!

Dang! My make-up is ruined! Such a wonderful story, lots of blessings to you both!

Ohhhh How Lovely Of You!!
Thank You For Doing What You Do!!!!

God Bless you and your baby.. wonderful story.. and gorgeous baby..
hugs,

What a beauty...just a little tender loving care was all she needed! Thank you so much for taking in this little lady, you are truly an Angel!

:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry: for baby Lily. Thank you so much for saving her.

It breaks my heart to see how many Yorkies are in shelters in SoCal, it\'s devistating :( I wish I could save them all - But since I can\'t, I\'ll focus on the ones that need the help the most. Lily\'s only hope was rescue. She wasn\'t going to be placed up for adoption. She wasn\'t going to put on a rescue list. She would have been euthanized that day. Instead, she is now snoozing in my lap, enjoying the life the way it should be for ALL Yorkies!