This Husky Puppy Got Her First Taste of Love… Just Before We Had to Say Goodbye
When Katie and Lily first came to us, they looked like stuffed animals come to life—fluffy husky-Corgi-looking mixes with big eyes and wobbly little legs. It was adorable at first glance, but something wasn’t right. Their limbs bent strangely, they tired quickly, and though they craved affection, they seemed to have missed out on early love. (Watch Video Above)
We Thought It Was Swimmer Syndrome
We assumed their condition was swimmer syndrome—a mobility issue we’ve helped dogs recover from before. We started building supportive devices, planning hydrotherapy, and loading them up on nutritious food. But something wasn’t adding up.
The Diagnosis We Never Wanted
After vet delays and two canceled specialist appointments, we finally got answers—but not the ones we wanted. X-rays revealed deformities so severe, bones were literally missing or fused in the wrong places. Katie, the smaller of the two, was especially affected. She leaned on Lily for everything. The vet told us that if this had been her dog, she wouldn’t leave the office with her.
Katie was in pain. The prognosis was grim. The diagnosis—something like epiphyseal dysplasia or mucopolysaccharidosis—was so rare the specialist had never seen a case in person.
Saying Goodbye
We brought Katie home and gave her one last day of joy. She ran in the grass, felt the sun on her fur, tasted Nutella and tuna, and finally felt peace. She passed away surrounded by love.
Lily’s Next Chapter
Lily isn’t out of the woods. She has the same condition, just not as advanced. But there’s hope. She’s started therapy, and we’re doing everything we can to give her the best life possible—for however long that might be. Whether it’s six months or six years, we’re going to make it count.
Breed Note: Backyard Breeding Gone Wrong
These girls are likely the result of backyard breeding—someone trying to create a “designer” husky-Corgi mix. But when you play Frankenstein with dog genetics, the puppies are the ones who suffer. Katie and Lily are heartbreaking reminders of why responsible breeding—and better legislation—matters.
Training, Care & Hope
For now, Lily’s “training” is about mobility and comfort. Her therapy includes rehab exercises, laser therapy, and most importantly—routine. She thrives on consistency and affection. We’re also getting her more testing to fully understand her needs. If you’re caring for a dog with special needs, know that patience, love, and a little creativity can go a long way.
The Scoop
Katie got her scoop of Nutella before she passed, and Lily? She’s getting extra scoops of everything—attention, belly rubs, and yes, maybe even tuna.
Next Steps
➡️ We’ll be documenting Lily’s rehab journey.
➡️ We’re fighting to give her the best chance.
➡️ And we’ll keep honoring Katie by fighting for dogs just like her.
In Memory of Katie
I’m sorry. Sorry we couldn’t save this one. Sorry for those of you who loved her from afar and rooted for her.
But I do take comfort in knowing that Katie was loved. She felt grass under her paws, sunshine on her face, and yes—she even got to taste Nutella.
We’re not sharing this with the wider world just yet. It felt right to bring it to you first—you’ve been walking this journey with us, and your support means everything.
Lilly is still with us and still fighting. And we’ll be right here with her, every step of the way.
Rest easy, sweet Katie. You mattered. You were loved.
