Lily Henshaw
Sad News 15 May 2022
Lily’s mum, Barbara let us know that, “My beloved Lily went peacefully over Rainbow Bridge on Sunday 15th May 2022. She had been stumbling a little on her short walks over the previous few days but deteriorated rapidly and lost the use of all four legs due to spinal cord or neurological problems. She was urgently referred to a specialist for Sunday morning but after a bad night I couldn’t see her put through any more pain and stress so had to let her go, with love and many, many tears. She has left a huge hole in my heart and in the home.
She was one in a million and never put a paw wrong despite giving me the surprise ‘Magnificant Seven’ puppies just a couple of weeks after she came to me. Her spirit lives on in them and in the wonderful memories we all have of such a gentle, gentle girl.
Sleep well my darling, you will be forever in my heart and in the minds of so many people in the village and beyond. Known and adored by everyone.”
History
WHO KNEW THIS LOVELY GIRL WAS HIDING A GUILTY SECRET?
EARLY HISTORY
Lily is a pure bred, light golden, Golden Retriever who is not much over 12 months old but we thought she had already had a litter of puppies. Little did we know!!!!!
She was not spayed yet but the plan was to do it when she was ready. She was micro-chipped in Ireland and received the necessary vet checks to allow her to get her Pet Passport.
Lily came from the same horrendous conditions as Magic and Rosie in a large puppy breeding operation which was recently closed by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a very high profile case where the owner ended up being sent to jail.
Lily was groomed and received the attention she so richly deserved. She was deflea-ed and de-wormed. Unfortunately, she was covered in flea dirt and the Vet said that she would have been absolutely covered in them. Her tenacious will to live had helped her survive the hell hole she has been in all her life.
IRR made her a promise to guarantee she would be well looked after and would get a safe, loving home where she would be treasured and loved for the rest of her life.
KATHRYN’S ASSESSMENT FROM IN IRELAND
PERSONALITY: Lily is sweet, but is a very scared little girl who is frightened of showing affection. When she sees her kennel mate, Rosie, kissing someone, she then tentatively joins in. Unlike Magic, she is a healthy weight.
She is very timid. She doesn’t know what a treat is, or how to eat it. She doesn’t know what it is to play but seems to revel in walking and running on grass which is something new to her as her world has been producing puppies and looking at the four walls of a kennel with no human interaction.
SOCIAL LEARNING
She is not house trained but this can be easily remedied.
She does travel very well in the car and calmed down after having ‘Eva Cassidy’ singing for an hour or so.
She has not been used to a lead but will walk with patience. She stops and lies on the ground, a by product of puppy farms, and crawls on her belly in a submissive way. Lead work will need to be done gently as she has had negative associations with it.
She would feel better in a calm environment without young children although perhaps one with older teenagers may be fine.
Lily loves the company of other dogs.
She doesn’t seem too interested in cats though it is early days yet.
LILY’S DREAM HOME
Lily dreams of a really smashing home with someone who has prior experience of Golden Retrievers. Training classes, lots of walks, cuddles and love will help her forget her dreadful past.
A new beginning is needed with a quiet family or with a nice retired person or couple who have lots of time for this little lady. With patience, love and reassurance, she will learn that whatever she does, she won’t be abused or hurt again. Another dog is very important to show her the ropes and help her to enjoy her new life in the perfect home she deserves.
We had exactly the right person in mind for her, Barbara, a kind and gentle lady with experience of another IRR ex-breeding lady, Heidi.
OFF TO HER FOREVER HOME May 2015
Lily went to live in her Forever Home with Barbara and Micha.
UPDATE FROM LILY’S FOREVER HOME (May 2015)
Barbara wrote to say: “Thank you so much for bringing over my gorgeous girl, she is a real delight. She has had her first walk, with Bailey (my friend’s dog) in the fields and was brilliant, she walked directly behind me all the way but was confident to stop and sniff and was very calm with the 2 Spaniels and a Collie we met.
On our return she ate her tea within seconds despite her anti-gobble bowl and then tried for Micha’s!! In future Micha will get hers first! She seems quite relaxed and is now having a nap in the lounge after all the excitement of the day.”
Lily is settling very well, going through the night and no accidents. She walks well and enjoys the fuss (and treats) from everyone she meets.
She has just been to the vets for an introductory visit. He was very taken with her and impressed with her impeccable behaviour. I think he was a hit with Lily as he was very generous with treats as he got to know her and she was very relaxed with him.”