Posted on 08/07/2010 7:30:33 AM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie
"Lola "... Loyal, conservative Canine Freeper and dedicated K-9 companion of Recovering Ex-Hippie, passed away August 3."
I am heartbroken that my wonderful doggie, Lola, died Tuesday morning. She was 15 years old and had been adopted from the Doggie Orphanage in Cleveland. She then moved with me to Jacksonville, FL.
Always a Patriotic Pupster, Lola was called upon by the CIA after 9-11 to break up “Terrorist Squirrel Cells “ in our woods….a calling she dedicated herself to with great enthusiasm. She was the mascot for a fund drive to raise money for the New Orleans Humane society during Katrina.
In 2004, she campaigned along with Freeper Chieftain’s canine, Brenda, for George Bush. Lola also campaigned for Sarah Palin’s VP run with her sign “Pets for Palin”.
She was a big fan of Free Republic, especially the Doggie Ping and the Live “24” TV show thread!
Lola was also a therapy dog and helped many people with emotional problems as my co-therapist. She was a participant in group therapy, child therapy and even on occasion, marital therapy. In 2007 she was called to duty at the Lake City, FL VA Hospital to mentor veterans in the Substance Abuse Residential Program, visiting the unit several days a week. The veterans delighted in Lola, and knew whatever they confided in her would be kept totally confidential. She touched so many lives!
Lola was my faithful companion for 15 years. I learned much about love and loyalty, honesty and compassion from this Person in a Fur Coat. In the last year, Lola had problems with arthritis…we made adjustments in our lifestyle. Freeper Chieftain often had to come over and help me get her to the vet. Her difficulties increased in the last few months. I learned that love sees “the other“ as “perfect“ no matter their frailties, and they are as “beautiful” as ever, maybe more , as the years go on.
On the morning of her last day, she lay there sleeping while I sat there petting her, and comforting her….then she just stopped breathing and was gone.
This is when you learn the value of true friends. My friends, Glenda, Kim, and Jane came to console me. Then our good friend, master finishing carpenter and true conservative, Terry, built a light maple coffin for Lola. Terry and Freeper Chieftain helped me bury her Tuesday night….and now it is very quiet and I miss Lola so much.
Please say a prayer for her and for me, or chant. Thanks for listening to my grief.
What a sweet pup!! I’m so sorry.
A special thanks to Freeper Chieftain for putting this thread with pictures together for me so that I could post it.
He truly knows what the spiritual meaning of Friendship is and lives it everyday!
You must be devastated. Thanks for sharing her story with us. I hope you will find another dog to rescue and share your life with. Regards.
Condolences.
Sorry to hear about your loss.
I’m so sorry REH. I know how hard it is to lose a loved pet.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. I know how painful it can be, to lose an animal you’ve grown so attached to. I’m so sorry.
Sorry to hear.
It’s a wonderful gift to have such a companion.
I’m glad she did not suffer and you were able to be of comfort to her in her time of passing.
...take comfort in knowing she was well cared for.....rescued by someone who was able to take care of her so many years. You did an excellent job and I’m sure she was very thankful and showed it in many ways.
So sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful story you have shared. If you haven’t read “Rescuing Sprite” by Mark Levin I highly recommend it, and you may want to post your story of Lola on his website he has a page for pet stories and is very supportive of shelters. God Bless!
Ping.
There must be something wrong with my computer...the screen’s all blurry.
God bless you, REH. All good doggies go to heaven, I’m certain.
The heartache will go away with time, but the memories won’t.
btt
Thank you...That is so beautiful!!! I will keep this...I have never seen this pic.
I am so sorry for your loss—and as a dog owner/lover, I can really feel for you. It’s great that you rescued this beauty and saved her from who knows what horrors, and maybe one day you will be able to rescue another sweetheart.
Lola will always be with you & one day - she'll guide you to the right doggie to mend your heart & share your life in the same way that she did.
((((HUGS))))
What a beautiful tribute to Lola.
What a beautiful girl. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
Godspeed Lola.
Reading with tears in my eyes. You have my prayers for your beautiful Lola and for your comfort.
We never forget our pets, they become so much part of ourselves and we deeply feel their loss.
Hope one day you can open your home and your heart to another Lola.
Blessings, etabeta
Sending our deepest condolences REH, and putting in prayers of comfort for you. She passed under the warmth of your hand, surrounded by your love, and no one could ask for more than that. Allow yourself to find some comfort in the many wonderful memories, and maybe even to smile a little, knowing that in your heart, she is still with you.
God bless,
Tatt
I am really sorry for your loss :/
She looked like a really savvy and smart pup.
I am so sorry. So very sorry. Our pets give so much love and ask for so little in return.
I’m so sorry. Hope she’s well and happy in doggie heaven.
YOU GAVE HER QUITE A GREAT LIFE.SHE WAS REALLY ENJOYING THE WATER VIEWS AND WARM BREEZES IN THESE SHOTS. NOW GO RESCUE ANOTHER DOG IN TRIBUTE TO HER .SORRY ABOUT YOUR LOSS.
Beautiful tribute...
Lola is running like a young dog, pain-free, in heaven...patiently waiting for you, as all good dogs do.
I shed a few tears for you and for Lola’s memory. God grant peace.
You have made me cry.. so sorry for the loss of your best friend ...
I am so sorry. So heartbreaking. My friend lost her dog Callie last Wednesday morning too. This is one of the most difficult things in loving a pet friend...the eventual loss.
Hey....
.....hey.....I’m feeling your pain.
Losing a pet, it hurts to the bone.
And I’ll tell you something else, no offense to cat lovers cause I got four of them too....losing a cat...hurts. Losing a dog is a pain tenfold.
....Though I consider myself an amateur wordsmith...I have no words to make it easier.
Except I hurt for you too.
She had good long life where she helped people and shared love and affection. What more could any of us ask for? So temper your sadness that she has passed on with being grateful she had a high quality life. You were both fortunate to share such a long friendship. She wouldn’t want you to be sad have a smile on your face when you think of her.
I’m so sorry you lost your pet. You are right. Love between a pet and their human is perfect. I will say a prayer for you and your sweet dog.
Charley (Peke), Eli (Shih-Tzu), and I are sorry for your loss. I too have felt this kind of heart-ache. I’m glad you have so many wonderful memories of your FRiend. Lola will be in your heart forever. God bless.
What a lucky dog. You invested a lot of yourself and through your dog you helped people in so many ways. Dogs are eager to move on once they have lived a long life and are no longer able to romp and do doggie things I think. There are two thoughts that I had when losing my dogs. One...I will never ever put myself in the position of feeling this kind of pain again. Two: I wonder what dogs are available for rescue today? Lucky is that dog who comes next in your life! So sorry for your loss, but so glad there are people like you.
What a beautiful expression of your experience.
Take a little time to miss her and grieve in her honor, and then adopt another in a hurry, also in Lola's honor. Your next "love" is waiting for you, and needs you very much. Don't make him/her wait too long.
Best of luck to you, FRiend.
Thank you for the wonderful story and for sharing your loss.
Thank you for posting Lola’s sweet and touching life’s story. What a full and busy life she had - a dog’s dream come true! I’m sure she was thankful every day that you were the one who adopted her - she knew you loved her like no one else would have.
You’ll always love her and miss her, but time will ease your grief. I’m glad you have friends to help you through this sad time. Take care.
Condolences on your loss.
A wonderful tribute to your companion. You may be interested in Rainbow Bridge (http://rainbowsbridge.com/). When our little rabbit passed away, we put a memorial there where our friends everywhere could see it online.
15 years is a long time; you were blessed.
A prayer and a hug of comfort for you. I am so sorry, I know how you feel. I lost my Toby in Jan.
REH,
I’m so sorry. My wife and I lost my dog of 12 years at Christmas 2008, and her beloved Sheltie four months ago. We loved your remark about Lola being a “person in a fur suit.”
Prayers going up!
Hoss
REH,
I’m so sorry. My wife and I lost my dog of 12 years at Christmas 2008, and her beloved Sheltie four months ago. We loved your remark about Lola being a “person in a fur suit.”
Prayers going up!
Hoss
How wonderful for you to have found that of love, affection, and companionship. I pray that you will be blessed again.
She lived a good life and had her best friend at her side when it was time to go. What a wonderful dog!
J6P and Ranger
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