Tilloo’s Story
Written by our Founder and Executive Director, Melissa Marram
The idea of Second Wind began with a very special Potcake, named Tilloo. Who is Tilloo you ask? Well, she’s what we call the “OG Potcake”. She is in many ways the inspiration behind starting Second Wind Dog Rescue. I have loved Potcakes since I met her, and even have one of my own now. Second Wind wouldn’t exist without Tilloo, and this is her story…
Tilloo was born on a chicken farm in Abaco, part of an island chain in the Bahamas. She was one of three Potcake siblings. And while they were still very young, one of the sibling puppies was tragically struck by a car and died leaving Tilloo and her brother behind. A well-meaning woman who worked at the chicken farm placed them both inside a shed so that they too wouldn’t meet the same fate. Life spent confined in a shed is not the best life for a rambunctious, full-of-life Potcake. Fortunately, word got out and an animal rescuer-extraordinaire by the name of Janie agreed to take on the two little pups. She took them back to Tilloo Cay, where she lived and placed them in a compound that she had built specifically for all the rescue dogs that passed through her caring hands. A poster was then placed in the restaurant on Lubbers Quarters Cay, with a hope to find homes for the siblings. The poster showed a photo of two sandy noses and the most adorable faces staring lovingly into the lens of the camera.
For Tilloo’s mom and dad it was time to add a new furball to their family. They met up with Janie when they were in the area and spent a joyful hour or so playing with Miss Juicy Lucy. This was Tilloo’s nickname because she peed from sheer excitement every time Janie or anyone else showed up to visit her and her brother, Mr. Freckles. Tilloo’s mom and dad had agreed to talk things over, and not be too impulsive in adopting a dog. Well, that went out the window and Tilloo immediately became theirs. It was love at first sight. They were both working on a yacht at the time and couldn’t pick her up for a few weeks, but they did go back and visit Tilloo and her brother any chance they got.
The time came to pick her up and bring her home. They boated over to Tilloo Cay from Marsh Harbour, and off they went! Once back at the marina they realized it was Tilloo’s first time standing on grass, and she didn’t know what to do with the new sensation on her tiny paws! She lifted her feet off the grass as quickly as she could which I’m sure was a sight to see. That first night she curled up in bed with them and probably had the best night’s sleep of her young life. They traveled home aboard the yacht they were working on the next day. She had several baths to remove the tree sap that was matted in her fur, and she was ecstatic to meet their yellow lab Buddy when they made it home. Rumor has it, Buddy was less impressed initially. But eventually he warmed up to her and they went everywhere together.
Tilloo lived a full life, on and off the water which included annual trips to the Exuma Cays where she was always the happiest. She would hang out on Compass Cay while mom and dad were working on the yacht. It’s a tiny island and she was free to wander as she pleased, chasing lizards, and catching flies with her tongue. Often people who came into the marina would say “this poor island dog, we should take her with us!” Someone would inevitably point to ‘her’ yacht and let them know she was just fine and living a dream life. From a chicken farm to a yacht, clearly she was doing something right. This is how Tilloo lived her life, generally being spoiled rotten by anyone who encountered her. Any day hanging out with Tilloo was a great day. Once, I even got her to sleep with me instead of her dad, which was unheard of. To this day, her dad will deny this ever happened.
Tilloo sadly passed away at the end of 2021. While she is missed greatly by myself and so many others, this is my opportunity to keep her spirit alive. Tilloo’s Tales will be a place for us here at Second Wind to share Potcake stories, and we will try our best to make her proud.