NORTH CAROLINA — When Anna Marie Giannini answered an online advertisement for a litter of puppies being given away, she encountered one Tibetan Spaniel puppy who was decidedly different. This little dog, named Tilly, was born with a rare condition, yet her unique appearance only solidified Giannini’s immediate, profound love.
“When I arrived, they had told me one of the puppies was deformed and they could not find her a home, which could lead to euthanization,” Giannini told The Dodo. “I had already fallen in love with her and planned out our next year together in my head before he was even done saying that awful statement.”
Tilly was born with short spine syndrome, a condition that compresses her vertebrae, giving her the appearance of having no neck and an unusually short back. But when the unique pup was placed in Giannini’s arms, the rescuer couldn’t fathom how anyone could reject such a precious creature.
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The Power of Unconditional Love
“When I got her, she was this dirty little fluff ball,” Giannini recalled. “She fit perfectly inside my hand, and as we drove home from where I picked her up, she lay in my lap and looked up at me with her big brown eyes, and I knew she needed me and I needed her.” From that moment on, Giannini vowed that Tilly would never feel unwanted again.
As Tilly grew, her compressed spine became more apparent, but it hasn’t hindered her adventurous spirit. “She was born with a syndrome, and just like humans born with a syndrome, her body has learned to adapt and she is thriving,” Giannini explained. “She has had no health issues or complications because of her short spine, and [we] expect her to live a long, healthy life.”
Giannini often forgets that Tilly is different at all. The little dog only needs minor accommodations, like special stairs to safely climb on and off furniture. Due to her stiff back, she cannot turn her head to scratch herself, a duty Giannini happily takes on, making sure to give her dedicated scratches and massages throughout the day.
The Most Grateful Pup
Tilly always makes sure to shower her mom with affection, demonstrating her endless gratitude for her loving home.
“She sleeps in bed with me like a little human, putting her head on the pillow and tucking her legs into the blanket,” Giannini shared. “She always has to be near me, touching me. When I’m cooking she stands right between my legs. When I’m doing homework, she is laying right next to me with her paws on me.”
Her expressions of love are constant, like clockwork. “Every hour or so that we’re home she’ll randomly come up to me and give me kisses and then go back to laying down,” she added. “It is like clockwork. It’s like she needs kisses to function!”
Though Tilly remains blissfully unaware of her own uniqueness, her unusual silhouette garners a lot of attention from both humans and other dogs on the street. “Other dogs are usually intrigued by her and more gentle with her,” Giannini observed. But Tilly is unfazed. “Tilly does not care though and knows she’s capable of anything. She is definitely determined and wants to play with any dog of any size.”
Giannini credits Tilly with providing profound life lessons. “Tilly reminds me on a daily basis that I should be thankful for another day,” she said. “Because of the unknown when I got her and her being so special and loving, I am very thankful I get to be the one to provide a good life for her and that I get to have all this time with her.”
Ultimately, this little dog with the short spine has given her owner the greatest perspective of all: “She constantly reminds me that being different is a special thing,” Giannini concluded.
