Four years ago, I had the pleasure of being rescued by one of your pups, and it was truly one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Lilly was the first dog I ever got to truly call mine. She's my dog, and I'm her person. I got her at just 8 weeks old, and at the time I had no idea what I was getting myself into - but looking back, I wouldn't have changed a single thing. Not when she dug through our trash countless times, or ran out of the house and did a victory lap around the whole town, not when she ate something she wasn't supposed to. I wouldn't change any of it, because it all made her Lilly. These last four years have been the best of my life because Lilly was right by my side through it all. She watched me grow. She was there through a difficult breakup and comforted me when I needed it most. She met my new boyfriend, who she instantly fell in love with. She was there for my proposal, and she was there when I got married. Lilly was there for every chapter, and I'm so grateful that she was.

Unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, and it feels like my whole world is falling apart. I've never had a dog that was truly mine — one who became my best friend, who slept at my feet every single night (and sometimes right beside me, lol), who went to work with me, to the store with me, everywhere with me. And now that four years have passed, it feels like it all flew by. I didn’t get enough time.

She's my best friend. She's my baby. And I write this with tears in my eyes because she doesn't have much longer, and the thought of losing her rips me to pieces. But I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the beautiful gift that is Lilly the Bluetick Coonhound. Some people say that I rescued her - but in reality, she rescued me.

I'm so glad we found each other.
Maria