Hit by a Car, Saved by Love: Lilo’s Story

When two‑year‑old Lilo, a gentle Havanese/Shih Tzu Mix slipped out the door, his family had no idea how drastically their world was about to change. Moments after he snuck out, he was struck by a truck. His owners rushed him to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital, terrified and unsure if he would survive the night.

There, imaging revealed the true extent of his injuries: a traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.

The impact had torn the thin muscle that separates his chest from his abdomen, allowing his organs to shift into his chest cavity and make it dangerously hard for him to breathe. Without surgery, Lilo’s condition could turn fatal at any moment.

The emergency veterinary hospital recommended immediate surgery — but the cost was far beyond what Lilo’s family could afford. They were devastated. They loved Lilo deeply, but they were suddenly faced with an impossible choice: a surgery they couldn’t pay for, or losing him.

They turned to Mission Animal Hospital as their only hope.

The next morning, they brought Lilo to Mission, praying for a chance to save him. When he arrived, he was still fragile. Our veterinary team explained the urgency with compassion and honesty: without timely surgery, Lilo could go into respiratory distress and die.

His family chose to fight for him — and so did we.

Our surgical team worked to stabilize Lilo and give him the best possible chance at survival. And Lilo fought with everything he had. Through the fear, through the pain, through the long hours of recovery — he kept going.

And he made it.

Just a day after surgery, Lilo was already showing signs of improvement. He went home the same day, and was soon eating, drinking, breathing comfortably, and even wagging his tail again. At his follow‑up visit to Mission, our team was so happy to see little Lilo! His sutures were removed, and our team celebrated the brave little dog who refused to give up.

Today, Lilo is back to being the bright, joyful companion his family knows and loves. His story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change — and how accessible veterinary care can mean the difference between heartbreak and healing.

Mission is grateful to have been part of Lilo’s journey and honored to help keep this family whole!