Lilo’s name in Hawaiian means “generous one,” because she freely showed her love to everyone she met, but that loving personality was hiding some very complicated medical issues.

Lilo, a 10-year-old female, came to us from the municipal shelter in Kona as part of our Aloha Dog Project. Dogs are transported by tourists back to Berkeley to have a better chance at adoption.

Her first medical exam made it clear she was going to be a big project for our volunteers and staff. Lilo’s extensive dental disease was concerning, and xrays showed that her limp was the result of an old pelvis fracture, but the most serious issue was the mammary tumors along both sides of her abdomen that would require surgery. Because these surgeries would be extensive and taxing, they had to be performed in stages to give her time to heal between them.

To our relief, the pathology tests showed the tumors were benign, clearing the pathway for her to become available for adoption once she was healthy and recovered from her surgeries. It was heartwarming to see Lilo adopted, knowing her incredible journey and that if she did not get the chance
to travel from Kona to Berkeley Humane her life would likely have been cut short.

Thanks to your support, Lilo is now in a new safe home, healthy, happy and with many years ahead of her
surrounded by the love she deserves.