Lola

Sweet Lola was rescued from a horrid situation by the Halifax Human Society in Daytona Beach Florida. She was neglected, abused, and bred countless times while spending her life in a crate outside, overwhelmed with mange, fleas, conjunctivitis and extreme ear and skin infections. She somehow survived this torture for four long years. Lola is a living miracle. Positive for heartworm and so timid and afraid of people, the shelter had person after person show interest but eventually turn her down. So little was known about her behavior, she would simply shake and cower, pressing her head against a wall. I was told about ‘Melody’ (her former name) by a volunteer from the shelter who happened to walk into my work. She was in tears and told me about multiple dogs who needed to be rescued, but my heart was stuck on the poor foxhound who needed love as much as I did. I was happy and excited when I arrived to the shelter with my new leash, harness and collar I bought for her. Suddenly I was blindsided with tears upon first laying eyes on her. She sat quietly on her cot in the corner of the cage underneath a handwritten sign in crayon which read: “my name is Melody, and I’ve had a hard life,” I couldn’t tell you what the rest of the sign said because I was instantly blinded by a flood of tears, gasping and choking in public with many onlookers present. The sign ‘heartworm positive’ struck another arrow into my heart. How could someone do this to this innocent creature? Several people tried to talk me out of it. The staff looked hopeless and unsure, once they showed me her they didn’t even follow up. I believe they were so used to people seeing her get wrestled out of the cage and saying no thanks. But I continued to cry and cry and feel so close to her. They told me how people turned her away because she’s so anxious and hasn’t any confidence. How she was called “too timid” and it was unknown how she was around children, other dogs, pets, etc. As someone who struggles with PTSD, depression and daily anxiety, I felt like I understood her. Why should anyone not be loved because they’ve experienced trauma. We decided a new name for a new change, so Lola came home June 23rd 2024. She first ran cowering under furniture and refused to eat or drink while I was in the room. I would have to leave her alone for hours before she first ate anything. Soon she was scarfing food down so quickly we had to get the slow eating bowls. Teaching her to walk on a leash. 3 months to wag her tail. 4 months to bark. She now knows sit and some simple commands. 6 months and she tested negative for heartworm. She loves chewing on beef esophagus, pig ears and ham bones. Her skin shed thick yeasty flakes for months before we were able to get it under control with probiotics and medication. She now hops into the car for drives, loves galloping through the yard, howling like a foghorn and playing with the kids and other pets of the house. I’m so happy I took a chance and brought this beautiful girl into my life!!