Stats

Name: Lola (she was a showgirl...) 

Age: "6 yrs, 7 mos" was written on her intake papers at GHS, which puts her birthday in September 2005.  If I can't get her exact birthday, one will gladly be assigned to her.  :) 

Breed: Miniature poodle/terrier mix.  

Story: When I met Lola on April 23, she was just off a 3-week round of antibiotics, according to GHS staff.  She had been given up for adoption by someone who was in poor health and could no longer care for Lola.  Lola was in bad shape, too.  She had skin, ear, paw pad, and mouth infections that needed treating.  One of her ears is scarred (think cauliflower ear) from recurrent, untreated ear infections.  On top of all this, she was about 2 pounds overweight (which is A LOT on a little dog who is supposed to weigh 13-15lbs).  17.6 lbs when I took her home.  Here's the little sausage the day after I brought her home: 

We take on walks every day and make sure to get a few long ones in a few times a week.  Her skin is already getting looser and she has clearly lost weight.  (We'll get an official weigh-in at the next vet visit.)  

Also, she has an underbite that makes me less self-conscious about my own.

TEEF

Likes: 

• SNUGGLING.  This dog's natural state is asleep in a warm lap.
• Treats (she gets 'em)
• Table scraps (she doesn't get 'em, although we think it's all she lived on in her previous home)
• She loves rolling in the Bronco with Pat.  They get coffee almost every morning (adoring comments and chicken jerky treats for her).  She's not afraid of loud, weldery-type noises, so she frequently goes to work with him.
• Sitting on the couch, with or without an invitation (we're working on the "without" part).

• Kids, adults, men, women, other dogs, cats, elephants (... okay, haven't confirmed elephants, but she's pretty friendly, so if I had to guess, I'd say yep.)

Lola and Grandpa

• Going to "Grandma and Grandpa's" house.  She is loveable anyway, but they absolutely love her!  She's all the fun and none of the responsibility, super sweet and well-behaved, so a perfect addition to our family.
• Her "piggies," a.k.a. toys.  The first toy she took to (a Randy and Jasper hand-me-down) was a pink, squeaky piggy.  As she comes out of her shell little by little, she has started playing "fetch."  She has several toys, but loves her piggy best.
• Walks*  (*Only in dry weather.  See "Dislikes" below.)

Dislikes:

• Walking in the rain.  Like, stops every step to ask to go back home when it's raining out.  Against everything I've ever thought true about myself, I found myself walking into GHS and asking to see the doggy coats they had for sale.  Never thought I'd buy such a thing.  But that little, shivery-in-the-rain dog now has a reflective, fleece-lined coat for when it rains. 

Being the knitter that I am, I couldn't resist making this for her, too.  Pat won't be seen with her in it...  :)

No, really.  Only one "dislike" so far.  Everything else, she has been pretty good about (getting ears cleaned, baths, etc).  She is super low-key and only gets riled up when we draw it out of her.  Seriously couldn't have asked for a more-perfect little girl!

I'd like to take the opportunity to ask you to consider a small donation to the Gastineau Humane Society.  The people working there LOVE animals and do so many good things for them and the people who love them.  Please consider volunteering your time or making a donation to support this amazing asset in our community.   http://www.ghspets.org/  Thank you!!