In Memory of Lilly. Please adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group first

Lilly, Lil' more affectionally called Little Lilly passed away on December 10, 2009 at the age of  twelve (12).  Lilly lived the first six (6) years of her life in a Missouri puppy mill before she became part of our lives on November 11, 2003 with the help of special volunteer named Sue from Dachshund Rescue of North America.  For weeks and weeks as we looked to add to our family I kept stopping and going back to her page for some reason.  Her short description; Lil' Red, shy but sweet. 

Lilly the day I picked her up 11-11-03.  She didn't want to get in the car . 
Lilly simply accepted her fate without fan fare.

When she was handed to me for the first time I simply could not get over the color of her beautiful golden eyes. As beautiful as they were there was no sadness, timidness, or glimmer of hope in them. Lilly's eyes were void of anything.  It was as if she had no soul at all.

Lilly reminded us to stop and smell the flowers.  May, 2004

As a result of her puppy mill beginnings Lilly wasn't very bright. She didn't really ever learn commands except for sit, and come and sometimes forgot those as well. This was very okay by us because what she did have was the sweetest most accepting disposition of any creature we have ever known. Little children loved petting her ears, and Lilly really liked that. 

Being a good sport on the boat.  September, 2005

It took Lilly almost two (2) years to completely come out of her shell.  We delighted in each step of her progress.  All of our affection never truly healed Lilly. Even though years had gone by we still told her often she would never, never go back to the place she came from.  Lilly would still have setbacks once in awhile that we never could figure what brought them on. 

Holiday card 2008 left to right Noelle, Lilly and newest member Molly since July, 2008.

As you can imagine, getting this photo took some time. 

We may have given Lilly a home but, she gave us so much more. Everyone and every other dog she met, even cats at the vet gravited to Lilly first. It was as if they all knew how special she was.

Lilly November 23, 2009

Little Lilly part of lives November 11, 2003.  In heaven December 10, 2009.

Please, if you are considering adding a dog companion to your family please check your local shelters and rescue groups first. Please do not adopt from a pet store. All of our companions have been rescues in one way or another and we wouldn't trade any of them.  May you be as blessed as we were to find a companion as sweet as Lilly.