Florida Dog Was Given Away After Her Legs Stopped Working And She Couldn’t Stand
Lily the Great Pyrenees couldn’t walk and was given away by her family. But a dedicated Florida foster mom saw the plea in her eyes and committed to a massive medical journey to save her.
A Gentle Giant In Pain
When a sweet Great Pyrenees named Lily lost her ability to walk, her future suddenly became uncertain. Her family couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her, and she was ultimately given away.
It seemed like nobody wanted to take on the massive medical challenge of a dog whose legs had simply stopped working.
But one dedicated rescuer saw past the physical limitations and recognized a gentle soul who just needed someone to believe in her.
Tracy, a volunteer for the National Great Pyrenees Rescue, heard about the struggling dog and immediately drove to Tampa, Florida, to get her.
Despite suffering from a painful condition, Lily was incredibly sweet. Her previous owner had two small children, and the large dog was remarkably gentle with them.
Tracy could see the determination in the dog’s expression. “She was like, ‘Help me. Like, I can’t get around, but I’m going to try my best,'” Tracy recalled.
A Shocking Arrival
Bringing the large dog home was an intimidating prospect. Tracy knew right away that helping this dog was going to be a massive undertaking.
When Tracy walked through the door, her husband was stunned by the dog’s condition. He looked at Lily and asked, “What is happening with this dog’s legs?”
He honestly thought his wife was crazy for taking on such a complex case. Still, Tracy was fully committed to giving the sweet girl a chance.
Getting To The Bottom Of The Problem
A trip to the veterinarian finally provided some answers. Lily was diagnosed with bilateral luxating patellas, meaning both of her kneecaps were dislocated and wouldn’t go back into place.
The vet explained that dogs are usually born with this genetic condition. While they look perfectly normal as puppies, the severe mobility issues reveal themselves as the dogs grow larger.
Because of her limited mobility, Lily was having a hard time making friends with other dogs, but her resilient spirit kept her trying.
The Only Path Forward
The rescue team sent Lily to an orthopedic veterinarian to map out a treatment plan. The road ahead was going to be long and difficult.
The specialist recommended two full knee reconstruction surgeries. He couldn’t guarantee that the procedures would work, but it was Lily’s only option for a normal life.
Knowing what was at stake, Tracy agreed to foster her through the intense medical journey.
Six Months Of Heavy Lifting
Lily’s first surgery required a grueling six-month recovery period. Because she couldn’t walk, Tracy had to physically carry her everywhere.
At the time, Lily weighed 90 pounds. Tracy had to lift the heavy dog up to carry her outside for bathroom breaks and move her from room to room.
By the end of every night, Tracy was physically exhausted, but she never gave up on her foster dog.
The Blanket Train
It didn’t take long for Tracy’s husband to completely change his tune. The man who once questioned the rescue mission quickly fell in love with Lily.
He started helping put her to bed every night. To make it easier for Lily to navigate their slippery hardwood floors, the couple set up a “blanket train” throughout the house.
Meanwhile, the growing pup kept gaining weight, eventually reaching a healthy 120 pounds—a normal size for a Great Pyrenees.
A Resilient Spirit Through Round Two
The second knee reconstruction surgery required another four months of careful recovery. Through it all, Lily’s sweet personality never wavered.
Even while going through intense physical therapy, she would drag herself outside just to sit in the sun and try to play with Tracy’s other dogs.
She proved over and over again that all she wanted was to be loved and cuddled by her caregivers.
Running Toward A Happy Ending
Slowly but surely, the surgeries and the endless months of rehabilitation paid off. Lily started to walk better, and eventually, she was fully cleared to be a normal dog.
Today, she can run, play, and go on long walks—things Tracy wasn’t sure she would ever be able to do.
After carrying her through the hardest moments of her life, Tracy couldn’t bear to let her go. She officially adopted Lily, who now has a wonderful life filled with many friends.
