A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
Once upon a time there was a beautiful Löwchen puppy named Lulu living with her beloved mistress Suzy. She lived in an enchanted house that had a swimming pool for her to jump in, a garden for her to dig up, lawns for her to romp on. She went everywhere with her human Mom and if she couldn't, she went to puppy day care to play with her furry friends. She was pampered but not spoiled, indulged but not to excess.
But lo and behold, all good things must come to an end. After four years of living in paradise, the house was invaded. By grandchildren. Five grandchildren in four years. The grandchildren played in Lulu's pool, they dug in Lulu's garden, they toddled all over Lulu's lawn.
Lulu didn't like it. They were invading her territory, and they were always there!
Suzy had to make a very painful decision for her beloved companion before her beloved companion really asserted her authority. She had to give her up.
Enter matchmaker Carole. Lulu was born in her home, and she was as committed as Suzy to finding Lulu another wonderful family.
A fortuitous call "out of the blue" from Barbara to Carole, forwarded to Suzy raised everyone's hopes.
Barbara had no children, lived with her father, adored dogs and had experience training them until she was confined to a wheelchair.
He beloved Newfoundland had died in August, and it took from then until October to persuade her father to consider getting a smaller dog.
Barbara has been fascinated with Löwchen since she first saw them at a rare breed show in 1985.
Thus the call to Löwchen breeder Carole who happened to live within driving distance, as did Suzy.
With great trepidation, Suzy and Carole met at Barbara's house. Suzy brought Lulu with her crate, her dog beds, her food, her toys. But she was not going to leave Lulu there until she was sure the match was going to work.
Barbara is remarkable. She is legally blind, can't walk, is on very strong medication for the kidney/pancreas transplant she had 7 years ago. She had been a very severe diabetic but was cured of that when she had the transplant.
Her father works, so she is home alone all day without an aide, by choice. She is cheerful, pretty, optimistic, outgoing. And she was thrilled with Lulu.
Lulu, who certainly sensed something was up, was not so thrilled. However, she did not follow Suzy to the door when she left, and she did not bark. It was decided to leave Lulu there for a trial period.
Well by the first night, Lulu bonded with the father and, by the next day, with Barbara.
And, by the second day, Barbara had started teaching Lulu to pick up dropped items.
Barbara's progress reports glow.
And Suzy, who misses Lulu terribly, knows she did the right thing by placing Lulu with Barbara.
Barbara made a donation to our Rescue Fund in gratitude to Suzy.