Happy Lola in B & W
Photo 75 of 131
I first saw Lola when she was running in the street one winter day. I was sad and angry because I assumed that one of my neighbors had adopted a puppy last month and had gotten bored with it, which has happened too often in the past. I tried to make friends with her but she barked at me and ran away. I saw her many more times, running the streets late at night.
Since my garage has no door it became her shelter from the worst of the snow and rain but I frequently saw her shivering and raising one paw at a time to keep it off the cold ground. While she continued to run from me (and my neighbors) she did become friends with my cats. After three months she had adopted my cats as her pack. Late in April she decided that I was leader of the pack. After several hesitant approaches she finally let me pick her up.
“Knowing” that cats and dogs don’t get along I started grooming her in preparation for finding her a home with all of the dog lovers at work. Her hair was in very log dredlocks - all of which were encrusted with seeds, leaves, twigs and other debris. She weighed 4 lbs. - now she is 8 lbs. Weeks later, when she was cleaned up I took her to work and everyone loved her. By that time I realized I couldn’t give her up.
She was perfect. She was the embodiment of joy when I came home from work. She was potty trained, didn’t chew and loved my cats. For years she was terrified of sticks and of being more than 6 inches away from me. She was patient while I learned not to treat her like a cat. She adored being carried like a baby and stared at me constantly. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first dog.
The Best Adopted Pet Photo/Story contest
This photo has 24 votes in the contest. Rank: 7
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Posted by: Pame D. (rags2lace)
6 months ago | Flag this
Oh shoot contest is over, didn't even know you were in it honey! grrrrrrr!
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
They extended the winners so she won a book for me anyway. ;o)
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Posted by: Pame D. (rags2lace)
6 months ago | Flag this
Aw Lola sweetie look at you with that adorable smile there on the front page!!!!! Going to vote for you in the contest right now! How anyone could abandon you is beyond my knowledge. Though it's all good now!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
I was extremely happy to see her story and the photo again. I agree! It was JANUARY! How could someone let her run and make no attempt to save her? She did have a ton of hair and hid in my garage so she didn't freeze but she must have been miserably cold. And what did she eat for 3 months? She's too small to reach trash cans. It amazes me that someone could abandon her to almost certain death and I'm even more amazed that she lived. My tough little baby.
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Posted by: Kaytee (AshleyPooh21)
6 months ago | Flag this
Yeah Lola is on the homepage! So cute:)
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
Thanks Kaylee.
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Posted by: Lourie H. (LourieH)
6 months ago | Flag this
Cheryl, Lola is one of the pets that I can feel. It sounds so silly but I feel like I really know her. Every time I read her story I am in tears. I do not know who is the most fortunate one - her for finding you or you for finding her. Give her a hug for me.
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
I'll give her a hug and a belly rub. I tend to think I'm the lucky one because I forget what her life used to be like. She's a very spoiled little doglet now.
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
by the way, it doesn't sound silly to me at all. She tends to be quiet and shy around new people for a few meetings so reading about her lets you know her as well as her best friends do. We've been sitting in the backyard this morning and she fell asleep in my arms while I rubbed her belly. My little treasure.
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Posted by: Carol L. (langsford)
6 months ago | Flag this
Lola, I am so very proud of you for making it to the home page so everyone can read about your story and see your happy and wonderful smile.... yea -- congratz
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
Thanks Carol. she's been looking especially cute lately. Very teddy bear-ish.
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Posted by: N. Cathy S. (stevecat511)
6 months ago | Flag this
Lola, you are beautiful in any light! Congrats on having your pretty pic on the homepage today!
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Posted by: cherries33
6 months ago | Flag this
Thanks Cathy. I'm so happy everyone can read about her again.
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Posted by: Carol L. (langsford)
1 year ago | Flag this
Happy indeed, you could not smile any bigger. What a cutie girl
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks Carol.
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Posted by: Debby (zennla)
1 year ago | Flag this
AWW.. what a sweet story.. so glad she found you and you had the time and patience to win her trust..
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Me too. She's a little treasure. I just found some photos from when she was younger so I'll have to learn to scan so I can get them on here. Thanks for taking the time to read about her.
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Posted by: MaxxieBrown
1 year ago | Flag this
She had me when she picked up hers paws to keep warm. this is a wonderful story.
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
That was such a sad thing to watch. And she was watching me like she was thinking maybe getting warm would be worth the risk, but she was still too scared. I still can't understand how she survived it.
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Posted by: Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
She's always happy as long as Mom is paying attention to her.
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Posted by: Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks Tam. She is a doll.... just the right size.
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Posted by: Anonymous
1 year ago
This comment has been removed.
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thats so true. I've always felt she was really trying to be the best dog she could possibly be.
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Posted by: Donna S. (DonnaSully)
1 year ago | Flag this
What a beauty!! glad you didn't give up on her, she looks so happy!
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
She is. I wish I could get a photo when I'm holding her & rubbing her belly..... but I'd need a third hand to do that.
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Posted by: JenniferMaurer
1 year ago | Flag this
What a great story and a cute girl!
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks Jen.
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Posted by: Pia Z. (KickinITOut)
1 year ago | Flag this
Very pretty girl! Thanks for sharing your great family story.
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Posted by: Karen B. (crazycasey)
1 year ago | Flag this
Glad that you never gave up on helping her, what a lucky little girl
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Posted by: MARGARET (PINKEES1MOMMY)
1 year ago | Flag this
awww cheryl!! bravo for you not giving up on this little lost soul.her life is so beautiful now because of you.and as you know they give back so much more.she is absolutely adorable!!
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks Peggy. You are so right. They give so much more. They're so good.
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Posted by: JenniferMaurer
1 year ago | Flag this
What a pretty baby girl.
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks Jen.
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Posted by: Tracy (Tracy2008)
1 year ago | Flag this
What a sweet story! Sounds exactly like something I would do! So glad Lola is a happy doggy now!
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
She gets everything she wants now...... which is mostly belly rubs.
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Posted by: Sherrie R. (ThePetButler)
1 year ago | Flag this
How could you ever refuse to give that precious girl a belly rub. You're wonderful in your patience and love for her, she looks like the happiest girl in the world!
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Posted by: cherries33
1 year ago | Flag this
Thanks. She is a very happy and grateful doglet. The best little girl I could have ever asked for. It seems like rescued dogs always try very hard to be as perfect as they can possibly be.
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