Lilica is Amazing!!!
Dear friends,
One of my students just shared with me this incredible story about Lilica. You must read it!
Lilica is a stray dog in Brazil who was abandoned as a puppy at a junkyard. The owner of the junkyard, although was very poor herself, decided to care for Lilica along with the many other dogs and various animals in the junkyard. How kind!
About 3 years ago, Lilica started scavenging for food after she gave birth to her first litter of 8 puppies. Upon a random chance, she met up with a very kind teacher, Lucia, who fed her some food from a plastic bag. Lucia realized that she would eat some of the food, and then carry the bag away with her… Lilica did this every single time she was given food…
After realizing Lilica’s pattern, Lucia decided to tie the plastic bag after Lilica ate… and from there, a pattern started.
Every night, for the past 3 years, Lucia would bring a bag of food to an empty lot and wait for Lucia. Lilica would walk four miles to the empty lot, eat a little food, wait for Lucia to tie the bag, and then walk four miles back to bring food for her puppies. What’s even more amazing is that even when her puppies got adopted, she still did the same thing for the other animals in the junkyard!
I have heard about many loyal dogs who would wait for their owners to return, dogs who have saved the lives of other human beings, and even dogs who have saved the lives of other dogs! Lilica’s story is just another example of how selfless, caring and compassionate animals are. I am so touched to hear of this news.
Please do watch the video of Lilica and share it with all your friends. It would certainly put a smile on their faces!
Tsem Rinpoche
Selfless dog makes nightly trip to fetch food for her family
A dog named Lilica has a special devotion and sense of duty to her family. She provides for her extended family by venturing two miles away each night to pick up food specially prepared for her and the other animals in her family, so that they have food to eat. This smart and loyal dog has been sharing her food with her family every night for three years.
Lilica lives in a junkyard in São Carlos, Brazil. She lives on the site with another dog, a cat, chickens and a mule, along with Neile Vania Antonio, who found Lilica abandoned as a puppy and took her in.
Every night the dog makes her way to the home of Professor Lucia Helena de Souza. She travels miles along a busy highway road to meet with Lucia. Lucia, who takes care of 13 stray dogs and 30 cats, has developed a special routine with the dog. Lucia prepares food and puts it in a bag for Lilica and then meets her every night at 9:30 pm. Lilica eats some of the meal and then carries the bag back to the junkyard to feed the other animals.
Lucia said, “I realized that she ate and then stared at what was in the bag.” A neighbor pointed out Lucia that maybe Lilica wanted to take the rest of the food with her. “Then we tied it up and took the bag and gave it to Lilica. From that day on we do it,” said Lucia.
Lucia (left) with Lilica and Neile (right)
Lilica gently picks up the bag and travels back home to deliver the much appreciated dinner. Neile said that Lilica has been making her nightly meal delivery for three years. She said that Lilica is a special dog. “People don’t do that. Some people hide and do not want to share what they have with others. She did not, Lilica is an exceptional animal.”
Video of Lilica
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Lilica-the-junkyard-mutt.mp4
[Extracted from: http://www.dogheirs.com/elleng/posts/2639-selfless-dog-makes-nightly-trip-to-fetch-food-for-her-family]
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It’s amazing to see Lilica kindness and compassion towards others. Needing to walk at least 2 miles everyday to just feed herself a little and then bring back the food for her family. Not to mention needing to brace through the busy highway. A reminder for all of us to practise compassion and care for others.
Amazing ,touching to see the kindness of Lilica loyal dog having need to walk for miles to get food .Not only that she ate little and bring the balance back to feed the other animals.Lilica is a special dog who care for others.Reminds us of sharing and be generous even we have little for ourself will make a difference in our lives.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
(Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.)quoted….Alexander McCall Smith,
It is amazing that Lilica took it upon herself to take care of her family by bringing food from 2 miles away nightly. This is a true example of unconditional love and selflessness. Plenty for us human to learn from. Thank you, Rinpoche, for this sharing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article of the dog called Lilica. It is so touching to see the kindness of Lilica towards her own puppies and also other animals that she lives with. Also thanks to Lucia who has the compassionate heart to provide food for Lilica and her friends. We as humans really must sometimes learn from animals. Animals are the most loyal to their owners.
With folded palms,
Vivian
Dear Rinpoche, I would say that Neile is very blessed with a dog that bring no worries to her instead it would take care of other animals. If I have a dog that would the same as Lilica，I would still not let her run around searching for food. Because you wouldn’t know what will happen to her one day, even though she knows how to cross the road You still wouldn’t know, some dumb people might just carelessly run over her. But I still would love a dog that would take care of each other.
animals are amazing and caring for their own and for other poeple/animals too. i love animals as they can be your best friend, but i hate when people eat them! please be vegetarian. Lilica is truly amazing. thank you for sharing Rinpoche
Lilica is indeed an exceptional dog that share her bring and share the food to other animals. Lucia is kind to pack the food for Lilica to take away. This is just simply amazing incident in life that could help us to think over our actions. Bottom line, be kind and thoughtful to people around us. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this amazing post.
好有灵性的狗狗，每天不间断的送食物给同伴。换看我们做人也未必能做到，好慈悲，做了我们的借镜。
Lilica may be an animal but she has beautiful traits that sometimes humans do not possess. She cares for her “housemates” by crossing the town in search for food to share with them.
We could learn a thing or two from her.
Lilica shows many traits that a human being should possess. And some humans do not even do those things like caring for another being, being helpful and compassionate. It points to a deeper reality that Lilica could possibly have imprints from a former human life. Like most sentient beings sometimes we can take a wrong turn and reincarnate as an animal. This is no disrespect for beings in the animal realms they have every right to be on Earth like we do, to live, exist multiply, thrive and perhaps even be happy. So to eat animals well, since we had countless lifetimes, we had countless, mothers and relationships with other beings who could be animals now. So think about it.
Shelly tai on 3 July at 430pm
Thank you Rinpoche for posting this touching story to us. It really a shame for some of us who are so call more intelligent than a dog but we does not show that kind of responsible like Lilica, some of us can abandon our own children or even our parents. When I watch this video I really feel really touch what a wonderful dog.
This is really a very touching story.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story.
This video really worth spending 4 minutes of our life to watch, not only because of Lilica that is great, but also because of Lucia’s compassion towards Lilica.
It is so true that human we often do not share good things with others, more over animal who live through their instinct. But again and again I have read about how kind, loyal animal is, how much they had save lives, etc, etc. But in the other hand, I was reading how human abuse animal, the amount crime cases increases, now to me, human are more like animal than the animals.
Lilica is really kind and brave dog, she risk her live to go search for food for her babies and also other animals, in her mind, there is no such thing as ‘cannot’, but when the situation is like that, she just has to think of a way to find food for the young. Her action is telling us nothing is impossible, when we say we can’t do something, it is just us telling ourselves based on our past experience and our negative mind. If Lilica can travel so far and get food from a stranger, then what else we human can’t do?
I felt really touched by the kindness and the motherly love Lilica has, she is taking the responsibilities to take care of others around her and be the leader who consistently feed them for years. What a great example Lilica is showing to others.
Dear Rinpoche,
This story on Lilica is ever so touching and heartwarming!
It is such an inspirational story to share with everyone because even though Lilica is just a dog… she goes so far to feed her litter of pups but also even after her lil pups were adopted she still did her duties to serve the animals in the junkyard.
Even though Lilica have to walk so far through the dark and dangerous highways nothing could stop her from always bringing the food back to the Junkyard.
It shows that if even a dog can show compassion to other animals and break boundaries wouldn’t it be easier for us humans to do so?
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this very touching article.
Love
Jutika
this dog is amazing, this is real mothers love, how she would travel 4 miles to get the food and 4 miles back which is a super long distance to walk and that is really caring how she would do that. i hope Lilica always keeps her pups safe and fed
“Some people hide and do not want to share what they have” many people suffer from this behaviour, it is sad to know that even a dog can show compassion and generosity that most mere humans cannot. Lilica is definitely a special dog, not only thinking of herself but for others as well, being able to live with a variety of animals and bring back food for them by walking four miles is really kind of her. I love reading stories like this, it truly helps you reflect on what kind of person you really are, she is a great example for many. Lucia is also pretty cool herself to be able to be doing this for three years is also really kind of her to do so. Thanks for sharing this video Rinpoche.
this is amazing! Such a loving dog! She must really love her pups.
Dogs are so amazing and so kind. They do not deserve to be treated the way they are treated. They are loving animals that have done nothing to deserve the suffering they get. Thank you for sharing Rinpoche.
Lilica is indeed amazing. Beautiful on both the outside and inside. She really shows that people need to care more about their family and people should care more about others in general. People need to follow examples like these when it comes to animals being more humane than humans.
Humans, unlike Lilica, tend to keep a lot of food for themselves rather than share food with the poor. We need to change this!
Lilica touched my heart and I never get tired watching her in this video.She has a beautiful face and such an incredible dog.
Bless your beautiful heart!
This dog would put many human beings to shame. Lilica’s special sense of devotion and duty to her family is truly incomparable! Each night picking up food specially prepared for her and other animals to eat, this loyal dog been sharing her food with her family and others every night for three years! What a special and exceptional animal she is! Its a rare wonder – Many thanks to Rinpoche for the sharing. Nevertheless, the kind-hearted professor Lucia Helena de Souza should also deserve commendation for compassionate actions, in taking the trouble in so nicely packing the food for the dog, Lilica for 3 long years. Such a kind hearted lady, may she be blessed always for her good virtuous deeds!
Wow that’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing Rinpoche x
Lilica is really inspiring!!!
Lilica walks 4 miles just to feed the other dogs and animals,she does not finish all the food and still share it with the other animals.
This dog is really compassionate to go so far just for the sake of the other animals.
Lilica reminds me to always care about other people,sentient beings etc…..
True enough people really hog things that they have and they are really reluctant to share or to think of others.
This post also shows that even an animal who is not educated can do an amazing thing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring post.
Wow, brought tears to my eyes. Such a generous and caring dog, who is willing to travel to far each day to bring food home for others. A dog who understand what hunger is and understand that other faces the same too. Instead of waiting for food, she takes action in going out to source for food. Puts me to shame in terms of taking more actions to care and help others.
This is a wonderful and touching story. Every night for about three years, Lilica travel miles away find food to feed her family. Lilica is so selfless and caring, even his puppies got adopted, she still did the same thing for the other animals. Lilica is fortunate to have met Neile and Lucia who have been very kind and caring. Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.
It is so beautiful and touching to see this video. Human beings think that animals are inferior but Lilica proves otherwise. She is much more superior than many human beings. Many of us have cars yet we choose to throw away the extra food that we have instead of driving that extra mile to share with others who needs it Well, Lilica, selfless acts put many humans to shame.
This story really touching . Lilica is very smart, love and take care with other animals . Every night Lilica walk 4 miles just to share the foods with other animals and this ” sharing ” since 3 years ago ,so wonderful .Just like Kechara Soup Kitchen(KSK) distribute food to the homeless peoples, so meaningful . Thank you Rinpoche sharing with us .
This is a very touching article, Lilica is very kind and generous! She would risk her own life and travel miles just to bring back the food to her pups and even friends, she is so human-like! She is truly a ‘wonder woman’. I’m so glad that she has been well-taken care of, she deserved it!
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Amazing Lilica. She really show herself to be nice to other even if she only a dog. This is not a 1 day story, it have been carry on for past 3 year.It really touch my heart.
People always think that animals are meant to be eaten. Look at this story and many others about animals. How much they can think and show feelings too. They are just like us in many ways, just that they cant talk and express their feelings. I am sure that there are many more smart and loving animals out there. I hope that we can have more stories like this educate the public of how animals should be loved instead of being eaten. I feel that animals are much better than humans some time. Much more less complicated…
Even an animal know how to care and share with others, very interesting story. Thank You Rinpoche for sharing the story to us. .
Best Regards : Eric kksiow
母爱是伟大的。 Lilica 是一只充满了爱、无法忍受身边的同伴受到饥饿与痛苦！可以 ３ 年里不间断的跑那么远的路收集食物与朋友分享，真的是一件不容易的事！
所以仁波切不停的劝告大家无论做什么东西都不许要不间断的， 不可以一时之兴就做，不爽了，就把责任丢给别人。 这是不对的行为。 大家试想看，如果有一天 Lilica 生病了， 没有去收食物，那么可能那一天， 很多的小动物就会饿肚子了！
克切拉香积厨
每逢星期六到吉隆坡市区分派食物，的食物分发量平均为每周800包。这些用来提供给无家可归者的食物，皆属回教徒可食用之清真食物，包括饼干、零食、饮用水、水果和热食。目前所分发的食物总量，已经是香积厨刚成立时的两倍…
感谢仁波切的分享! Lilica是一只特别的狗。它的行动说明了它无私的付出,为了身边的狗狗不论是不是自己的孩子,LiLiCa还是风雨不改的为它们寻找温饱。
LiLiCa的行为值得让我们深思! 我们应该更要为动物献出慈悲心以及关爱,这也是仁波切一直以来的教导。
It will touch anyone’s heart seeing the selfless act of Lilica. How many would travel miles, risk her own’s life, day after day for 3 years and still persisting to bring food to others? Lilica is a true bodhisattva! She cares not only for her own family but also for other animals living together with her. Her commitment to benefit others will put many of us humans to shame!
Not forgeting the kind and compassionate Professor Lucia Helena de Souza who are as committed as Lilica and Neile Vania Antonio who had adopted Lilica.
When all sentient beings live in harmony and help each other as demonstrated by Lilica, Lucia and Neile, the World becomes a better place to live in.
What an amazing dog! Even dogs know how to feed her family and the others as well. Dogs have much more feelings than some human beings.
Maybe they can learn some compassion from dogs? If only we can practice kindness and generosity and sharing like Lilica!
Again, we are reminded of the compassion and loving kindness of animals and sorry to say many human do not show this kind of values. Perhaps we live in a “society” with its negative values of selfishness. Perhaps its the degenerate times.
Its good and very inspiring to see this and should remind us of our Buddha Nature that we can all have compassion and selflessness.
Thank You Rinpoche.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this inspiring post. Lilica is very kind and selfless ,she is a true living example!! she remind me that even animals understand the selfless, care and help to others, what about human!! No reason for us not to do so!! Be kind to animals,they need care and love too!!
Incredible and inspiring story! Thank you so much for sharing Rinpoche. It really make up my day! 🙂
Its amazing, lovely and touching story of Lilica!! She is so human like!! Some human cant even love their parents and siblings! May she always be blessed by the 3 Jewels 🙂
Human beings tend to look down on animals and think that we are superior, but here is a story of a dog who is far superior to many human beings who are inherently selfish and will even keep food just so others cannot have it. I have heard of a very wealthy family who insists on throwing away food from the table just so their cook and maids cannot eat it because they feel it is too good for them. How sick is that. This is a wonderful story which celebrates the generosity of the dog as well as the kindness of Lucia and Nellie to prepare food for Lilica. Thank you for sharing it.
Lilica really like a big baby, I think he quite intelligence. He really show it’s care and love to his owner. I feel guilty because if I cannot take care of people around us very well. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing us this nice post to us. And also remind us always be a good and well behavior person.
Amazing, I am ashame of my selfishness as compared to this dog, so caring and concern for others.
Dear Rinpoche, I feel like crying right now because Lilica’s story is too amazing and besides this is not something we see everyday. About 2 months ago, I’ve seen a video clip in youtube. It’s about a single mother that doesn’t even care for her own baby son. The mother is so irresponsible that she would keep the son is a pram in a room with the windows completely covered with black curtains, bring him down to the living room for feeding every 2 days and bath him once every 1 to 2 weeks in the dirtiest toilet I’ve ever seen in my life. I wish Lilica’s story will spread far and wide over the world and teach them to be humble to every sentient beings.
Lilica is truly an amazing dog! Even an animal can be so caring and generous to other beings, her kindness and selflessness can be better than some of the human beings so to speak.She risks her life in search of food and fortunately met a kind lady name Lucia who will bring food and wait for her every night at the same sport, after eating a portion of the food, Lilica will bring the remaining food in the plastic bag and walk 4 miles back to her home for other dogs, cat and chickens to eat,so thoughtful and kind of Lilica. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such a inspiring story.
Caring dog Lilica, meets a lovely caring lady, Nellie, owner of a junk yard.Despite being poor herself, Nellie gives Lilica a home. Next, Lilica, in search of food , meets another lovely caring lady, Professor Julia. Julia starts to give her food in a plastic bag, and realizes that Lilica would eat only a portion of the food, and take the rest back with her. So Julia establishes a pattern of giving her food every night in a plastic bag and watches her eat a portion and take the rest back with her.
For the last three years, Lilica has been going miles back and forth, taking the food back with her to feed her litter of puppies and the other animals in the junkyard.Even after all he litter had been adopted, she continued to bring back the rest of the food, given by Julia, for the other animals(her extended family.
Nellie is right. Lilica is a rare and exceptional dog. Even humans don’t show such care for others, such a readiness to share. Lilica is fortunate to have met two caring people, who helped foster her ‘spirit of caring and giving’.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing.This story is so touching.It brings tears to the eyes just thinking of it.Such a compassionate being.I transcend all level as she take care for all that she is acquainted with compassion and dedication without a doubt.
In society today even the children of kind would think twice to support their own parents when they grow old ,do not even consider their neighbours.
We really need to look deep into our self to understand human nature if not learn from a stray dog that have yet the opportunity to learn Dharma.
Lilica really walk the talk and it is 4 dangerous miles every night without fail and without any agenda !.A track record which most human find it difficult to up keep for a lot of reasons.
What an amazing story… This is one of the many proof that animals have feelings and we should never ever hurt them in any way. They too feel love, scared, etc… but just because the do not have a voice, animals are often abused. It is even the same for people… those that are less educated and sub servant to another, some will find themselves being abused etc.
Well, it really is a touching story. I like how lilica will bring home food for the other animals… and also how the teacher, for the last few years have never failed to provide food for this little dog and her ‘secret’ friends hehe.
Lilica has such a beautiful character and also generous. Is it amazing that a being that so many would regard as just an animal, would have the presence of mind to think of others and a heart big enough to share its food and even went to some considerable effort to care for others. There is more than enough humanity, compassion and intelligence in this dog alone for people to rethink their concept of animals.
And its so true, human beings hide and hoard what we have and feel reluctant to share. All around we see people who are well to do yet feel poor and having the mind that they cannot afford to help others. Often we see more value in things than in the wellbeing of others. Lilica obviously values the wellbeing of others and feels no need to hide and “save” things for herself. And because of that there are those who make sure that she doesn’t starve.
The people in Lilica’s life are also so kind. Lucia especially doesn’t give left-overs but even cooks for a “stray dog” and delivers the food to her. I was very touched to see Lucia sitting in wait for Lilica and being so soft and full of care, even telling for Lilica to be careful on the highway. Such incredible beings.
This is really a very wonderful and touching story about this dog. Really inspired me that always care for the family first.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this nice post to us.