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- Deceased's name: Lola Mae Anesi
- Age: 10
- Date: March 15, 2012
- Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
- Survived by: Jen Anesi & Ethan Williams
You were supposed to be our Patch Pet of the Week on Feb. 4, but I adopted you instead.
How could I resist? Your owner had been put into a nursing home, and you were scared and needed a home. It felt right.
You quickly stole our hearts with your sugary-sweet personality, the way you sleep with your tongue sticking out just a little bit, the way you get so excited to see us when we come home that you trip over yourself.
You're a lover, crawling up behind my head on the couch like a cat or nestling into my lap while I'm writing and editing Troy Patch stories. You let my 6-year-old son use you as a pillow while he watches Phineas & Ferb. You don't put up a fight when I put funny little shirts on you. You jump into my son's bed every night to read bedtime stories with us. You follow me around everywhere I go and sleep under my night stand every night in your favorite dog bed.
And every evening, as I wrap up a few last-minute work emails before bed, you're here, curled up next to me, waiting for me to finish so we can go to bed.
But not tonight.
We dropped you off Thursday morning at the vet for minor surgery expecting to see you again in the afternoon, but it wasn't meant to be. They said you were too old, and that your heart just gave out while you were under anesthesia. They said you didn't feel anything; you just slipped away.
Maybe it was supposed to be this way. You weren't meant to spend your last days in a shelter – you were meant to be here, with us, where you were happy and loved.
You were only with us for a few weeks, but in that time, you worked yourself into nearly every aspect of our lives – and into our hearts.
We miss you, Lola. Thanks for being a part of our lives.
Karen Schoonover
8:23 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Aw, what a cute dog Lola was. So sorry to learn about your loss, and what a nice tribute to her.
Ann Erickson Gault
8:41 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Sorry for your loss. I'm sure her last days with you were very happy.
Jen Anesi
11:22 am on Friday, March 16, 2012
Thank you, Karen and Ann. I though it was a good opportunity to put my thoughts into words, and maybe also an opportunity to show people that they, too, can pay tribute to their pets (and people, too, of course) by posting an announcement on Patch.
Amanda Kirksey
12:34 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Ohmygosh, that tribute makes my heart hurt. I'm so sorry for all of you!
Jen Anesi
2:24 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Thank you, Amanda. Are you a dog owner/pet lover, too?
Amanda Kirksey
6:40 am on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Oh yes, Jen! My hubby says I'm a baby and puppy hoarder, and since we are done with babies... ;) We have three dogs: a Boston Terrier and two Pugs. We just adopted Winnie the Pug back in September. :) Hoping your heart mends quickly.
Barbara Koehn
5:50 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Oh, Jen, I am crying while writing this-I was so pleased when I saw that Lola had been adopted by you a few weeks ago-Little did you know that she was going to leave you so soon-My heart goes out to you and your family-Know that Lola spent her last weeks in luxury, she was loved and she loved you as well-there will never be another Lola, but I bet there is another dog out there that will melt your heart-Loved your Lola story-May you find peace in knowing that Lola is in puppy heaven-
Jen Anesi
2:24 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
Thanks, Barbara, for the very kind words. I told my 6-year-old son she was playing with Blue (our dog who died two years ago) in doggy heaven now. It seemed to comfort him :)
Ed Lambert
10:34 pm on Friday, March 16, 2012
Jen, I know how it feels for you. It doesn't take long for us animal lovers to become attached to one (or more). We can only hope that we give them as much satisfaction as they give us.
I can get very attached to a pet. 'Nuf said.
Jen Anesi
2:25 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012
They're so loyal, and they don't talk... what's not to love about a dog? ;) Thanks, Ed.
Patricia Kane
9:36 am on Sunday, March 18, 2012
We have seen 10 dogs slip from our lives-all beaten, battered, old or abandoned. All from shelters and each one that leaves feels like the first. We have three gracing our lives currently. Mickey, Cooper and Jack-all from shelters with calls from those caring people as we were "last ditch effort"-but they are getting old My heart goes out to you. You and your family did a beautiful thing. Life is short, but shorter for them and thank goodness, her last days were spent where she knew was wanted--so important for the last days to be spent where they are wanted and loved. You gave her that and comfort at the time of her loss as well.