I fell in love with LoLa the boxer

I missed having a dog in the family. Badly.  My "quick fix" solution was to visit the nearest pet shop, which happened to be at the mall.  I knew -- for many reasons -- buying a puppy from the mall was not for me.

Still, the moment I spotted this beautiful female boxer puppy, it was love.  I asked to play with her in the room. The big ball of mush just melted in my arms. Her nose pressed against my cheek, warm breath on my skin; one slow and soft loveable puppy lick ... so precious ... she begged with her eyes, "Please bring me home."

Her paws were monstrous; her belly ... buddah.  In the room, she bounced around to shake off the pent up energies forced upon her in those darned shop kennel cages. She pounced, and played, and chewed and licked ... and won me over. 

It was just a visit, though, and I promised to visit again.  A few days later, I returned to play with her. She sat in my lap, licking and nipping and clawing and yipping ... warm puppy breath and a pink-freckled belly ... chocolate brown eyes and fuzzy floppy ears ... "Lola," I whispered in her ear. "It's okay, Lola ... Mommy's got you." It wasn't a name I would've chosen, but it came to me and it seemed to fit her just right.

I met with Lola on a few more visits.  I took pictures and video clips to bring home. I thought about her constantly. I hoped a loving family would take her home. I knew if she didn't find a home soon, her time to leave the pet shop would come and I didn't want to think about what that might mean for her.

In the meantime, our family did find a baby girl (flashy fawn female boxer) to bring home. I could not ignore the feeling that I was betraying Lola. As much as I adored our new addition, a sadness washed over me. I spent a lot of time focusing on the positive side ... that Lola had received love and attention and some play time too -- something a lot of those puppies don't ever get.

Yesterday, in the middle of the afternoon, Lola popped into my head and I had this powerful feeling -- like I was being called to do something. I picked up the phone and called the pet store.

I asked the woman that answered the phone if the boxer puppy was still there.

She replied, "A family is putting money down on her right now as we speak."

I stuttered and stammered and could barely contain my excitement.  After I explained my story to the salesperson, she told me Lola was actually going home with a close friend of her family, a few towns away from where I live!

I was able to leave my name and contact information, and the woman offered to pass it along to Lola's new family.  We talked of the possibility of Lola and my new puppy meeting up the a local dog park in the near future. I was so overjoyed, grateful and relieved, I actually started to cry.

I know this is no coincidence, as I believe there are none. I said my prayers that Lola may somehow remain a part of my life and be well taken care of. And my prayers have been answered.  Again.