Tilly, the Tibetan spaniel, may have had a short spine but that certainly did not make her any less special. In fact, she has become quite the sensation on Instagram and has brought immense love and joy to her human mom, Anna Marie Giannini. Anna stumbled across an online ad that promised some cute puppies, but it was Tilly who really caught her attention. Despite being different from the others, Tilly’s adorable looks and charming personality won Anna’s heart.
As soon as Anna laid eyes on Tilly, she could sense that she was no ordinary dog. “The moment I was told that one of the puppies was disabled and facing euthanasia due to being homeless, I knew that I had to be the one to give her a home. In my mind, I had already envisioned a life with her before they could even finish uttering those heartbreaking words,” Anna shared emotionally. Tilly’s unique appearance is due to her having been born with a rare condition called short spine syndrome, causing her to resemble a dog with no neck and an extremely truncated back.
Anna was in disbelief that nobody wanted to adopt Tilly when she embraced her. She expressed, “When I first held her, she felt like a petite, soft sphere, fitting seamlessly in my grasp. During the journey back home, she rested on my lap and gazed at me with her big, brown eyes. I immediately sensed that she required me and I needed her.” From that moment on, Anna vowed to never let Tilly experience rejection again.
As Tilly grew up, her visibly short spine wasn’t a hindrance to her living life to the fullest just like any other furry animal. Despite being born with a syndrome, Tilly’s body learned to adapt without any health problems or complications. Anna wished her a long and healthy life. For Tilly to climb furniture, she requires a little assistance, and Anna uses a special ladder to aid her. To make sure Tilly is comfortable, Anna spends an entire day giving her a gentle massage.
Tilly made sure to express her gratitude towards Anna for all the things she did for her. Tilly is content with her life, feels loved, and adores her abode. Every hour, Tilly would spontaneously approach Anna to give her a kiss, reminiscent of a clock that needs touch to keep going, according to Anna. Despite Tilly looking like an ordinary dog, her presence never fails to draw attention, even from other furry creatures.
According to Anna, Tilly never let the stares of other dogs bother her and was always keen on playing with any dog she came across. Anna appreciated Tilly’s persistence and the lessons she learned from her furry friend. Tilly’s closeness to Anna was evident in the way she slept on the bed with Anna, tucking her paws under the covers and leaning her head on the pillow. In everything Anna did, Tilly was always present, standing between her legs when cooking and lying next to her with her feet on Anna while she did her homework.
Every morning, Tilly gently nudges Anna to appreciate the gift of a new day. Anna truly treasures having Tilly in her life and takes joy in being able to provide her furry companion with a fulfilling life.
