Sometimes dogs are born looking a little different, but they still deserve a loving home just like anyone else. While other people might think they look “weird,” it just takes one special person to see their true beauty.
That is the case for one adorable pup, who was born with a rare spinal condition but has now found a loving home and won hearts all over the world.
According to The Dodo, Anna Marie Giannini first met her Tibetan spaniel puppy Tilly when a litter of pups was being given away. But Anna was told that one of the puppies wasn’t “normal.”
Tilly was born with a rare genetic condition called “short spine syndrome,” which is just what it sounds like: the puppy has a noticeably short back and barely any neck.
While the condition meant that Tilly would look permanently different, it doesn’t cause any pain, so the dog can lead an otherwise normal life.
But Anna was shocked to find out that the owner was thinking of having the “deformed” pup euthanized.
Luckily, that did not happen, as Anna quickly fell for the tiny, unique dog and rescued her, giving Tilly a home and sparing her from being put down.
“When I got her, she was this dirty little fluff ball,” Anna told The Dodo. “She fit perfectly inside my hand, and as we drove home from where I picked her up, she lay in my lap and looked up at me with her big brown eyes, and I knew she needed me and I needed her.”
Tilly has now grown, and has turned out to be the most loving, attentive dog Anna could’ve asked for.
“She sleeps in bed with me like a little human, putting her head on the pillow and tucking her legs into the blanket,” she said. “She always has to be near me, touching me.”
“When I’m cooking she stands right between my legs. When I’m doing homework, she is laying right next to me with her paws on me.”
Anna told The Dodo that despite Tilly’s condition, she’s “learned to adapt” and is “thriving,” and she expects the dog to live a long, full life.
And Tilly is clearly determined to live that life to the fullest. She’s an adventurous little dog, not afraid of anything.
“[She] knows she’s capable of anything,” Anna said. “She is definitely determined and wants to play with any dog of any size.”
And now, Tilly is loved by people from all over: she’s become quite the viral celebrity.
Her Instagram account has over 12,000 followers, and her TikTok has nearly 300,000 followers. Her videos have accumulated over 5.5 million likes.
Not bad for a dog who was nearly euthanized as a puppy. People can’t get enough of this adorable dog:
@tillythefriendlyloaf #tillybean ♬ Bonk – Howard the Alien69
Seeing Tilly thrive so much after everyone wrote her off has been a life-affirming experience for her owner.
“Tilly reminds me on a daily basis that I should be thankful for another day,” Anna told The Dodo. “I am very thankful I get to be the one to provide a good life for her and that I get to have all this time with her.”
“She constantly reminds me that being different is a special thing.”
What an adorable, unique dog! We’re so glad she’s in a good home and living her best life!
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