Animals possess a remarkable ability to perceive and react to our emotions with intuition. Specifically, dogs seem to display a deeper understanding of our emotional states, while different species of animals can coordinate with each other based on basic instincts that may elude human understanding. Sometimes, we may think that our four-legged friends are unhappy, but their companions, such as cats or birds, may have a better understanding of their emotional state than we do.
During the Christmas season in 2014, Lilo, an eight-month-old Pit Bull was found surrounded by vultures for five days before being rescued by Guilford County Animal Control in Greensboro, NC. The photograph of Lilo among the vultures is distressing, as we know that they were waiting for the opportunity to prey on her. It is a tragic thought that would deeply affect any dog lover. However, the vultures never got their chance. The photo of Lilo, captured by photographer Rob Brown from Greensboro News and Record, sparked a series of events that significantly changed her life for the better.
After spending two weeks at the animal control shelter, the Merit Pit Bull Foundation rescued her and eventually found her a permanent home with Keana Lynch and Travis Henley.
Interestingly, Lilo was a cuddly puppy right from the beginning, even though she had never experienced any kindness from humans during the first eight months of her life. Although her health was not in great shape, it was not as terrible as one might imagine. She was undernourished and had some skin infections, but with the help of love and attention, she recovered and grew into a robust dog.
Lilo found herself in a cozy home surrounded by people who loved and cared for her, just like any other adorable dog deserves. Despite being neglected by humans during her first eight months, she adapted well to her new surroundings and became a cherished pet. The family that took her in noticed that she wasn’t sure what to do or which toys to play with at first, but Lilo’s intelligence shone through as she quickly settled into the role of a playful pup.
