The Wait is Over: Lola's Story

At the Gulf Coast Humane Society, we see countless animals walk in our doors as strays or surrenders and walk out with their newfound family members. Every adoption is a success story, but our most triumphant adoptions come from those who have taken up residency with us for years. Some dogs and cats stay in the shelter longer for health reasons and others, for behavioral problems. Lola was one of those cases.

Lola was born in April of 2013 and was a tiny bouncy puppy when she was surrendered to us in June of that same year. Lola did have numerous health issues, one of them being an anal prolapse. Lola underwent multiple surgeries to try and correct the problem, but they were unsuccessful. So, Lola spent a great deal of her time in our shelter's clinic to decrease the risk of infection. One of our veterinarians decided to try the surgery one more time, and finally, Lola was able to heal correctly. Lola, at long last, got to run around the dog park and play like a normal puppy!

Usually, puppies don't stay on the adoption floor very long and are adopted quickly, but not Lola. Lola got extremely comfortable in her kennel, so much so that she did not want to come out and socialize. After unsuccessful attempts to unlearn this, Lola was moved into the administrative office to help her with human interaction. Lola thrived in a different environment and was finally spotted by a lovely family and adopted!

Sadly, after only a couple of months, Lola found herself back at the shelter. Lola was returned because she was not socialized quite enough and was not bonding with her new owner. The staff and volunteers at GCHS made it their mission to help Lola with her behavior issues.

The volunteers and staff loved on Lola daily and worked on getting her to feel more comfortable around people. Slowly, Lola's personality started to shine and her behavior began to improve. The staff learned that Lola enjoyed playing with other dogs and enjoyed the company of children when they came to read to her in her kennel. After a couple of years, Lola was finally given a second chance at a new family.

Unfortunately, Lola's health concerns returned soon after she was placed into her new home. Lola lost 15 pounds, and no matter how hard her new family tried, Lola would not gain weight. For fear of Lola's health, the family made the heartbreaking decision to return Lola to GCHS.

While in her last adoptive family's home, Lola had learned to become potty trained because the family had a yard. Once Lola was back in the care of GCHS; however, she wanted nothing to do with being outside. GCHS staff and volunteers had to drag Lola outside to go to the bathroom, only to have her try and claw her way back inside the building. At this point, Lola was 3-years-old.

With lots of coaxing and handling, slowly Lola's behavior improved. It was clear to everyone at GCHS that the best course of action would be to have Lola placed in a foster to adopt home or have someone slowly interact with her before adoption. Lola was going to need continued attention and support to help her get over her behavior problems.

Then in 2017, Swanna walked into the GCHS and instantly fell in love with Lola! For Swanna, Lola was the perfect companion she had been looking for, and the feeling was mutual. At last, Lola felt like she could be herself around someone. September of 2017, Swanna could not wait any longer and adopted Lola!

For Lola, this would be the happily ever after that she had been wanting. Lola had spent four years bouncing between homes and the shelter. But, with lots of love and attention, Lola was able to overcome her behavior problems and find a loving household to call her own.

It's been four years since Lola's adoption and she is now 8-years-old and living her best life!