Cleft Palates Provide Bond For Little Girl and Her Puppy

In honor of National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month, meet Lilah Mae and her best friend Nellie Mae!

During pregnancy, Hannah learned her daughter, Lilah Mae, had a cleft palate. After the diagnosis, she was referred to high-risk care and met with the Dolly Children’s cleft palate clinic to plan next steps. The clinic’s support gave Hannah confidence in Lilah’s future surgeries. Hannah said, “During my pregnancy, I felt scared and unsure of the future, but the cleft palate team at Dolly Children’s has supported me from the beginning.”

Now three years old, Lilah Mae is full of energy and loves her new puppy, Nellie Mae. They share more than a middle name—Nellie, a dachshund puppy, also has a cleft palate. Hannah found Nellie through a Facebook post, and after hearing Lilah’s story, the owners gladly rehomed Nellie as Lilah’s best friend. Nellie is now a comforting presence for Lilah at appointments and future surgeries.

Nellie’s veterinarian noted that her cleft palate does not limit her ability to drink, eat, or breathe, and surgery would be only for cosmetic reasons. Hannah, Lilah, and their family happily embrace Nellie’s most authentic self.