Ellie of the Wildflowers

Ellie’s Story — Our Fighter, Our Family
When we adopted Ellie in January 2023, we didn’t just bring home a dog—we brought home a piece of our family. She was 6 years old, a bulldog/American bully mix with a gentle heart and a love for stuffed squeaky toys. My husband and I had spent years looking for a dog who could live peacefully with our two cats. My brother-in-law, an animal control officer, tested hundreds of strays—but for three years, none passed the cat test. Until Ellie.
Her original owner, a disabled veteran, loved her deeply but could no longer care for her. He surrendered her, and we brought her home. From day one, Ellie adjusted like she had always been ours. Life immediately became more fun and full. We were already avid road trippers, and now, with Ellie in the backseat, we had the closest thing to family road trips. We can’t have children, so our animals are our family—and Ellie fit right into that space in our hearts.
A year later, everything changed. In February 2024, we noticed fast-growing lumps on her belly. I scheduled a vet visit, and on 2/28, we heard the words that shook us: mammary cancer. She needed emergency surgery—estimated at $5,000—and we were emotionally and financially overwhelmed. A series of family emergencies had drained our savings. We were scared, heartbroken, and running out of time.
We turned to our community for help, creating a GoFundMe in desperation. The response was beyond anything we expected. Friends, family, even strangers came together to save Ellie. On 3/12, just two days before her scheduled surgery, we hit our goal.
On March 14, Ellie underwent a full mastectomy on her left side and a partial on her right. Her incision stretched nearly 10 inches. She spent two weeks kennel-bound in recovery—and she hated it. But through every uncomfortable moment, she remained her sweet, strong self. As soon as she was cleared, we celebrated with her favorite thing in the world: a trip to the ocean. She ran and played in the waves like nothing had ever happened.
Today, Ellie is 9, cancer-free, and thriving. She’s our stuffed-animal princess, lover of squeaky toys, cuddles, and car rides. She taught me what unconditional love really means—and the lengths I would go to for someone I love. Ellie isn’t just a survivor. She’s our daughter, our best friend, and our heart.