Meet Lion, a burly and scarred 14-year-old Mastiff mix who, despite his advanced age and stubborn old man demeanor, gives off the aura of an innocent toddler. In foster care for the PG Shelter with a family, last October a household accident, which Lion had nothing to do with, nonetheless resulted in someone getting hurt, and it was determined that Lion had to go. Complicating matters was the fact that given his advanced age and a variety of medical conditions, Lion was not a candidate for adoption. Lion was returned to the shelter with less than an hour to live.

It was an all-hands-on-deck frenzy that day, with dozens of people trying to save his life. A foster was found, and Lizzy’s Lodge stepped up for Lion. We took him and pledged he would be safe and loved as long as he was with us. His foster family agreed.

Lizzy’s Lodge has been supporting Lion’s care for more than 6 months. His medical needs are expensive and complex, including a serious heart murmur, cryptorchid, arthritis, and a tumor. His heart problem is the most urgent and potentially the most life threatening.  So we are focusing on that and also providing the care that will give him the most comfortable and stress free life. However long he has, we will keep providing care – and especially just love him. He is worth it.

These days, Lion is a funny, silly, loving boy who loves to follow his big sister and brother at playtime. He loves his easy chair, sleeping in his comfy bed (or anywhere), all kinds of food, snacks and treats (and he is a sneaky one when it comes to those), hugs and kisses, snoozing in the sunshine, and rope and chew toys. He is extremely vocal in communicating his desires, and his family acts on them. Lion is extremely adorable, despite the many scars he bears from a painful previous life, and is living his best life, thanks to Lizzy’s Lodge.

Lion Update 5/12/26: 

Great News!  Lion’s recent bloodwork was excellent, especially given his age and other health issues.  We already had him on standard heart medication including meds to address some fluid buildup around his heart.  However we decided to have a cardiologist evaluate his heart condition in the event there was anything else we could do to help him.  We are excited to report that the cardiologist was very pleased, even surprised, with his condition.  His heart is functioning well with the existing medication so nothing further is needed.  His foster says “Lion is a blessing.  He gives me so much joy and is just so very, very good.”

We say “You rock, Lion!”