Every day brings stories about dogs, both joyful and heartbreaking. These tales remind us that dogs, like people, can experience turbulent chapters in their lives.
One dog’s life initially seemed straightforward. She was adopted early, lived happily in a loving home, and seemed secure. But a period in her life revealed just how quickly circumstances can change.
This mysterious chapter became the focus of a thorough investigation after animal control found her as a stray in Chicago, Illinois.
Returning To Her Origins
The team at Animal Education and Rescue (AEAR) in Libertyville, Illinois, was stunned when the police contacted them about a stray in North Chicago. Their surprise deepened when they learned the dog’s identity.
“The Police Department contacted us because her microchip led the officer to the original owners who did not respond to his phone call and led to us as the rescue that took the dog in,” they wrote in their Facebook post.
The stray turned out to be Lola, formerly known as Greta, who had lived at the AEAR shelter in 2012 before her adoption.
Sandy, AEAR’s founder and director, immediately began investigating. She spent hours on calls, trying to uncover what had happened in Lola’s life that led her back to the shelter.
She discovered that her first adoptive family had sold her to someone else. Sandy obtained a name and phone number for the buyer, but tracking down the full story proved challenging.
“The man that answered the phone said that he doesn’t know any person by that name and has not lost a dog,” Sandy wrote in a post. “I’m not so sure he’s telling the truth. It’s hard to say.”
Despite the setbacks, Sandy refused to give up.
Piecing Together The Mystery
After several days of persistent research, Sandy finally pieced together the details of Lola’s journey.
According to Newsweek, Lola stayed with her original adoptive couple for seven years. Following their divorce in 2020, the husband kept her for a year before giving her to another family.
During her time with that family, Lola was constantly moving and even spent some time with the second family’s relative. The family reported that she behaved oddly, sometimes leaving the house and returning unexpectedly.
Crucially, the woman revealed that her adult son eventually handed Lola to a man who took her to a local shelter. This is how she ended up at North Chicago Animal Control and, eventually, back at AEAR.
Sandy also learned that Lola’s latest family had decided to relinquish her because of her age. However, this was not the end of her story.
The good-hearted staff at the shelter, where Lola began life as Greta, were determined to give her a happy final chapter.
Finally A Safe Place
When Lola arrived at the AEAR shelter, her condition reflected her difficult journey.
“Lola is also morbidly obese and is having a hard time getting around. It’s understandable, considering her weight and her age.” Sandy wrote in the post.
Her nails were extremely long, but Annie Kane quickly trimmed them. They planned to take her to the groomer to restore her coat so she could look like the beautiful dog she once was.
Given her age and health, the staff worried that adoption would be unlikely. But Amanda, a kind-hearted foster, stepped forward.
Moved by Lola’s story, Amanda decided to care for her indefinitely if no forever home could be found.
Thanks to these good people, Lola’s long and mysterious journey ended happily, proving that compassion can bring the best possible ending.