If you didn't know Butterfly, it's hard to describe her in words. She was the sweetest, most special and gentle soul. 

In rescue, heartbreak is a given, it's part of life when working with animals and the people who often have wronged them. In August of 2016 we suffered over-the-top heartbreak as we had to say good-bye to our alumni girl Butterfly. This dog has taught us more about resilience, joy, and unconditional love than any we have met.

When she came to us in 2014 she was a happy-go-lucky girl but the housetraining wasn't going well. After a vet visit and some xrays we were told that she had no tone or feeling in her hind end and that her incontinence was permanent.

Her spinal injury was consistent with a dog whose tail had been pulled very hard. Over the time we had her, she has learned (and so have we) to live with diapers, waterproof furniture pads, vet visits, experimental procedures, and a lot of brainstorming and teamwork. She has had multiple foster homes, a failed adoption, and through it all she never stopped loving every human she met - big or small!

Just a few months before we lost her, Butterfly hit the jackpot. She found her "happilly ever after", a loving family who didn't mind the medical aspect of her life and just loved her for who she is - an amazing spirit with the most gentle soul. We all thought this was her fairy tale ending, but Butterfly had additional medical complications because of her condition that we didn't know about. The doctors did all they could, but Butterfly could not be saved.

Fly high and free, beautiful Butterfly. In your honor we have established the "Butterfly Fund" to help other dogs with complicated medical needs. We want them to be able to stretch their "wings" and fly too. We won't let your story remain untold. In spite of humans hurting you, you never gave up on us, and we never gave up on you.

To donate to the Butterfly Fund, you may use our paypal link on our donation page here: http://www.luckypuprescue.org/#!donations/cu7k and indicate that the donation is for Butterfly, or you can send a check to Lucky Pup Rescue, PO Box 461, Kennebunkport ME 04046 and write her name in the notation line. Thank you for considering, for sharing, for sending love to Butterfly's family and enormous fan club.