Remembering Ellie

Late yesterday afternoon, our Sanctuary was changed forever when beautiful Ellie gained her Angel wings. She passed peacefully, on her own terms in the arms of her Sanctuary mom. We find peace knowing that Ellie left this world with dignity knowing love and kindness and did not die alone in a shelter. 

All Ellie ever wanted in life was to be loved, and we promised her she would be until it was time for her to leave this world. We loved her, spoiled her, and kept her comfortable during her time here at Paws Give Me Purpose Sanctuary.

Miss Ellie arrived at our Sanctuary in November of 2021 after having been found on the streets by animal control. This little, 10+ year old girl had been clearly neglected and mistreated – a tumor weighing at least a pound was hanging off her body and this tiny girl had to suffer carrying it around far too long. 

The biopsy on Ellie’s tumor revealed that she had a very rare type of mammary cancer, adenocarcinoma – in addition to ovarian cancer. Her prognosis was 4-6 months – to say we were heartbroken hearing this news would be an understatement, but we knew in the back of our minds this was likely the case. 

Ellie outlived her life expectancy and these last 9 months here with us were likely the best of her life. She was comfortable, never suffered a day after her arrival, and was very loved by humans and dogs alike. 

She was a very happy, peppy, and energetic girl who loved to play with the other dogs, enjoyed being pampered, and was the best cuddler in the world. She had a terrific appetite, and her most favorite thing in the world was a good bully stick – she enjoyed chewing one every single day. She enjoyed going for walks with her partner in crime, Miss Jewel, and was also very outspoken, voicing her opinions constantly; but that was just part of her Yorkie charm. 

Her nickname here at our Sanctuary was Ellie Bellie, for she would always roll over immediately for belly rubs as soon as you sat down with her. She loved receiving attention, so much so she would guard her person if another dog came to interfere, but she would eventually share the attention. You would have never known that she wasn’t 100% healthy as nothing seemed to bother her.

There was no denying her anything, she was spoiled as much as possible. We’d like to think that her last 9 months of joy here were able to wash away her past suffering. Miss Ellie is greatly missed and has left a huge void in many lives.

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us, and Miss Ellie was a big part of our hearts and souls here at Paws Give Me Purpose. We were blessed to have spent this time with you!

We would like to acknowledge Ellie’s generous lifetime sponsors: Leslie Harris, Debbie Pollina and Brian White for assisting us with her care and helping give us the ability to provide her with everything she ever needed and then some. On behalf of Miss Ellie, we thank you from the bottom of her little heart and ours. It is supporters like yourselves that are the driving force behind what we do.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Chloe’s Fospice Friends who awarded us a grant to help with Ellie’s care. Your generous grant covered her homeopathic treatments and supplements which kept her comfortable so she could enjoy her life to the fullest, as well as her final arrangements. 

Last but most certainly not least, to our very dedicated volunteer Shelley, thank you for going to the shelter, pulling Ellie to safety, and rushing her for immediate medical care – mere words are not enough thanks. Thank you also for blessing Ellie as your mom’s namesake. 

To all of our followers and supporters, thank you for caring and for being a support to us during this difficult time. We hope you see the legacy Ellie has left behind and understand why the work we do here is so rewarding and so important.