Do you remember the story of Lily?

"The SPCA of Tompkins County is caring for a two year-old German shepherd mix who was shot in the head last week, left in her yard overnight, and seized by SPCA Animal Control Officers after a report by a neighbor early Thursday morning.

 Jim Bouderau, SPCA executive director, states  'This is a terrible crime. It breaks our hearts, but now our entire focus is on Lillie's care. We anticipate that she will need several more surgeries including the repair of a wound to her soft palate as well as the removal of one (and potentially two) of her eyes due to the trauma caused by the gunshot wound. While these additional surgeries present their own inherent risk in her weakened condition, we are optimistic that she will recover.  The cost of her surgeries and care are estimated at roughly $5,000 at this time. members of the community have already stepped forward to ask how they can help. Supporters can make a donation to our Angel Fund for medical emergencies, which we use for situations like these.'"

Well, take a look at Lillie today!

Our girl Lillie survived surgeries to remove one eye, as well as reconstruction and removal of bone, and is healed and fully adjusted to life as a blind dog, all the while wagging her tail.

Lillie (formerly Lily) was officially adopted from the SPCA of Tompkins County on November 28, 2014 and just yesterday celebrated her two year adopt-a-versary!

Lillie's mom is a current veterinary student, so Lill’ has spent the last two years rotating between the roles of study buddy, nap companion, and non-judgmental workout partner. Lillie has three cat brothers and loves them all. They love that she can’t see them when they run past her!

The fact that Lillie is blind hasn’t slowed her down at all, and her mom is pretty certain that her hearing has only gotten better with time and can hear the crunch of a carrot from the opposite end of the house!

Lillie loves to go for walks and hikes, and she especially loves it when her mom takes her to the tiny park in their neighborhood. Lillie missed the snow during our mild winter this year and is looking forward to a good Ithaca winter to run and play in the deepest snow drifts she can find. Regardless of the season, however, every day, when mom returns home, Lill’ sorts through her toy bin, pulls out the squeakiest toy, and demands that mom throw it so that she can hunt for it around the house after she hears it land. Lillie is the happiest and most-loving pup, and she and her mom were fortunate to have found each other.

Happy endings like Lillie's are due to YOUR generosity.

Extraordinary surgeries like those afforded to Lillie are done to save the lives of animals at the SPCA.

The Angel Fund, established in 2001--the same year that the SPCA became the first open admission, no-kill shelter in the U.S.--provides the emergency funds to help cases like Lillie's.

It is used in severe cruelty and neglect cases and typically used for orthopedic, neurological, and ophthalmic surgeries.  But these kinds of things are not inexpensive, even with the donation of a surgeon's time and the medical resources afforded to the shelter.  In fact, our costs to bring Lillie to health totaled $7,517, which is our goal for this Giving Tuesday campaign. 

How can YOU help?

We thank YOU for your love of animals and your love of the SPCA.  We remain profoundly grateful to you for your support.