Lilo is a 2.5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier in Killingworth, CT, who needs $2,000 for Balloon Valvuloplasty.

I adopted Lilo on October 17, 2022 from the Windsor Animal Shelter in Windsor, CT. We have been caring for her for only four months now, but she has been part of the family since day 1. It’s rare that she spends time alone at home and almost always has someone with her to give her belly rubs and plenty of treats.

Lilo has such a goofy and sweet disposition with her people. She loves any and all attention, whether that’s cuddling during a movie or a gentle game of tug-of-war when the mood strikes. And while she’s not training for a marathon any time soon, she still appreciates going on walks at her own pace. But at the end of the day, she’ll never turn down a meal or a long nap in one of her many beds.

Whenever someone comes in through the door, she has to be the first one to say hello with one of her stuffed animal “babies” while doing her signature crab walk. It’s impossible to not laugh seeing her butt and tail wiggle a mile a minute! And if she’s not busy as the greeting committee, she isn’t afraid to remind us when it’s close to mealtime with her grumpy whines and stompy feet.

During her first vet appointment, Lilo was found to have a significant heart murmur on the right side of her chest. After meeting with two different cardiologists both in and out of state, she was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis, a congenital heart defect. The only thing that could help this condition is getting a balloon valvuloplasty.

As her primary owner, I have limited funds as a returning student. Getting this diagnosis and treatment plan was unexpected when I adopted her, but I still want to get her the help she needs to improve her quality of life, regardless of the cost.