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Monday, January 9, 2012

The Newest Member of the Family

Meet Lollie!

Lollie is the newest addition to our family, and we are super-thrilled to have her with us.  So, let me tell you a little about her, and how she came to join our little pack.

Back in October, around the time that I got sick and everything, Steven Spielberg (that's right, the movie guy) came to Richmond to film a movie.  The city was all a-tither.  Yes, I did audition to be an extra, but I figured I'd be fine either way.  I had a small claim to fame because one of my friends works for the casting company that was casting extras, so I was happy to hear all her tales of woe and her tales of celebrities.  What I was not expecting, though, was for her to tell people tales of me!

Apparently, the director of photography (DP) had a dog, and this dog needed help.  She was scared.  Her tail was tuck, she trembled, and she wouldn't take treats.  She was a mess.  She was a new addition to the DP's family, and he wanted to help her in any way he could.  Other people wanted to help her too, though.  She was pretty pathetic.

So, one day, a publicist for the film saw my friend, and she asked her if she knew of any dog trainers in the area.  She specified that this person had to be a really good, fantastic dog trainer because this dog didn't need anyone setting her back.  My friend gave her my name.

Before I knew it, I was meeting with a 2-time Oscar winner and his dog.  I knew from the get-go that if things didn't work out, that he would try to rehome this dog.  He wasn't being mean.  He was being realistic.  His life was not beneficial for a timid dog.  It would not help her.

I worked and worked and worked with Lollie, and she showed huge improvements.  She started to snuggle, and she stopped hiding in her corner.  She even started playing at the dog park!  However, she was still easily overwhelmed, and often had trouble with minor things like loud sounds and a lot of people. 

When the DP came to see her again, the improvements were there, but I think we both knew they were not going to be enough...they might never be enough for this little girl.  He was looking for a happy-go-lucky Lab, and Lollie was a timid bulldog. 

After a bit of a conversation, I told the DP and his assistant that she was more than welcome to live with us.  She gets along well with Cody, she's quiet, and she's a great source of heat on a cold winter's night.  The next thing I knew, I had a new dog!

Lollie has been a joy to have here the past few months.  She's a lovely little girl, and her place in our family and our hearts just grows stronger every day.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for her!

1 comment:

  1. I am just getting caught up on your blog -- Hans mentioned you got another dog but I didn't know the back story! So happy Lollie found a home with you guys! She couldn't have asked for better parents! :)

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