Anatolian Shepherd mix needs help now! PLEASE!

May 30, 2004

-

Katie Walter

Please send your checks to 4 Paws For Ability and, write Lilly’s Fund on the memo line on your check.

Mail your checks directly to:

4 Paws For Ability, Inc

253 Dayton Avenue,

Xenia, Ohio 45385

karen4paws @ aol.com (remove 2 spaces)

Saturday, May 29, 2004 2:52 AM

OH Anatolian Shepherd x needs help now! PLEASE

In a message dated 5/29/2004 2:40:42 AM Central Standard Time, Karen4paws writes:

Meet Cell Dog Lilly, She needs your help!

Lilly is a 6 month old Anatolian Shepherd mix puppy. Lilly, first arrived at the Humane Association of Warren County as a very young puppy and was quickly adopted. However, as she grew, and grew, and grew, her family decided she was too much trouble and returned her to the shelter. There she sat, on death row, waiting and hoping for a stay. Well, maybe her time in the shelter was not exactly like death row, she was well cared for and they truly wanted her and the other dogs to get new homes. Lilly watched as people came and go, taking her shelter friends with them but never selecting her. “Maybe” she thought, “she really was the problem her family said she was and no one would want her.” So, back to our story, Lilly sat on ‘death row’ asking for a stay and it was a stay she got, just at the strike of midnight, just like the movies (well maybe it was the strike of noon), the call came and Lilly was granted a stay!

This is where the story gets really interesting! Along with Lilly's stay, came a sentence to prison for no less than 9 months and no more than a year! Lilly was heading for lower level maximum security Prison, to a Program Called Rover Rehab where she would be trained by fellow inmates to be a service dog. A special service dog that would bring independence and friendship to a young child with a disability! Lilly has been in the Rover Rehab program, a collaborative effort between 4 Paws For Ability, who runs the program, The Humane Association of Warren County, who provides the dogs and many of the supplies, and the Warren Correctional Institute for a little over one month and was doing great. Smart and personable, Lilly was excelling in her training, heading towards and early release. That was before the bad news and the reason we need your help.

Lilly, has bilateral hip Dysplasia. Her veterinarian, Suzanne Ellis of Veterinary Associates in Xenix, Ohio Took the x-ray and with great sadness shared the grim news with 4 Paws who had brought her for a check up after inmates reported that she appeared to be in pain whenever she sat, lay down, and then stood up. However, a bit of hope was quickly offered. A new high technology procedure called a Triple Pelvic Osteotomy. In layman's term, the pelvis is cut in three places and pinned in a new position that protects the head of the hip, keeping it in socket thus ending the pain and suffering she now endures. Then, a new problems jumps up to greet us, isn't that the way it always is?

The surgery that Lilly needs will cost several thousand dollars and where were we, a nonprofit 501c3, public charity, going to get that kind of money. However, there is not a choice, Lilly's only other option is euthanasia, to end her pain forever. Lilly is one lucky dog, see - when you are a dog and are adopted by 4 Paws, a commitment is made to care for you the rest of your life. So Lilly knew help would soon be on the way. This is why we are coming to you. Please help us get out Lilly's Story! We have already set up a fund in her name. As we tell people about her, and the child she could be pared with should she get the second, (well no; that would be the forth chance for a new life – yet I am sure she is not a cat? I thought only cats had nine lives), people stare with tears running freely down their face and have handed us some money from their pockets. We hope that you will feel the same and send a few

dollars to help. If everyone who reads about or hears about Lilly's Fund would send just a few dollars, we would soon have all the money we needed to make her dream, and the dream of her future partner come true!

Thursday, we had to meet with the inmates and explain why we did not bring Lilly back with us. Lilly needs crate rest until the money for her surgery can be raised and she could not get this at the prison. I have never seen so many tough guys look so sad, and yes, even a tear or two may have been shed that day. Immediately, they wanted to help. A fund raiser they suggested. It seems the other inmates at the prison love to have their pictures taken with both our service dog puppies and the shelter dogs training in our program! Maybe, they told us, they could let them do this paying a few dollars for each picture. They plan to ask the administration if they will help them implement their plan. These inmates have very little money of their own, if they can share their money, perhaps you too might spare a few dollars for Lilly! Please help.

Send your checks to 4 Paws For Ability and, write Lilly’s Fund on the memo line on your check.

Mail your checks directly to:

4 Paws For Ability, Inc

253 Dayton Avenue,

Xenia, Ohio 45385

You can also donate online via credit card by going to www.4pawsforability.org

and clicking on Paypal.

Make the donation using the email address karen4paws @ aol.com (remove 2 spaces)

Media Providers: If you would like to do a story on Lilly, 4 Paws For Ability, Inc, or the Rover Rehab Prison Program, contact Karen Shirk, Executive Director, 4 Paws For Ability, Inc. at 937-374-0385. Please help us get the word out. Everyday we wait is another day Lilly sits in pain.

NOTE: If your PC stripped out the pictures, please email for a picture of this wonderful, sweet, loving dog!

4 Paws For Ability, Inc. a non-profit agency taking the ‘dis’ out of disABILITY!

253 Dayton Ave, Xenia, Ohio 45385

(937)374-0385 or

karen4paws @ aol.com (remove 2 spaces)

www.4pawsforability.org

Karen Shirk, 4 Paws For Ability, Inc. and 4 Paws GSD Rescuewww.4pawsforability.org

karen4paws @ aol.com (remove 2 spaces)253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, Ohio 45385937- 374- 0385 937- 602- 9448

Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Messenger