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 Lilo
was born with a deformed pelvic bone and has been unable to use
her hind legs since birth. Her hips couldn't move, and her rear leg
muscles atrophied. After she was weaned, she was brought to a veterinarian to
be put down, but he recognized her enthusiasm for life and strong
will and didn't want to do it.
Her disability could not be corrected, but Lilo didn't let
that stop her from enjoying life to the fullest, scooting and bouncing
herself to wherever she wanted to go with great energy. She
spent the first year of her life living at the veterinary clinic,
stealing the hearts of all who encountered her.
When the people at the vet's office heard about Journey's End, they
arranged for her to come here. Since she was full
grown by then, she was able to be fitted for a dog cart and soon had her
wheels! She adapted to them so fast, it was as if she'd been born with
them. Two of the blind residents began to play tug-o-war with toys, the
larger dogs pulling Lilo around as she hung on for dear life with her
teeth! She and Joey are best friends.
Lilo is now around 7 years old. She has had bladder infections that
sometimes cause bleeding, although luckily it wasn't cancer as first
suspected. She also recently began having what appeared to be seizures,
but turned out to be muscle spasms. She now sleeps on a special bed, and
that seems to have helped a lot.
She doesn't use her wheels much anymore, but she is still friendly and
alert and very much a part of the daily life at Journey's End.
Lilo, Powder, and Joey
Lilo goes for a ride in the wheelbarrow
Lilo and Joey
Lilo gets a daily "walk" by going for a ride in her limo
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