An animal shelter has received an outpouring of support for a dog who was abandoned in a park, with nothing but a bag of food by her side. Her story has broken hearts across the internet, but things might finally be looking up for this sweet pup.
The team at Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter was devastated when they received a call on March 28, alerting them to a dog abandoned at Moores Park in Lansing, Michigan. A woman was driving past the park and spotted the dog, causing her to alert her husband about the discovery. They stayed with the dog, named Lola Lopp, in case anybody came to claim her. Sadly, there was nobody else around and no one arrived.
Hannah Page, the community outreach manager at Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter told Newsweek that she is “incredibly grateful” to the couple who stopped and cared for the dog. They ended up contacting the shelter and seeking long-term care for this sweet pup who needed support.
“A good Samaritan noticed Lola sitting next to a bag of dog food,” Page said. “She lived nearby and called her husband to tell him about the dog. He took a photo of Lola sitting next to the bag of food, and when she began to wander toward the road, he became concerned for her safety. That’s when he contacted us, and one of our Animal Control Officers, Officer Kasey Stewart, responded and safely brought her to the shelter.”
Given that Lola was abandoned, nothing is known about her past, why she was left, or how long she was waiting. She is believed to be a six-month-old terrier mix, and she appears in good health.
Nonetheless, arriving at the shelter was a terrifying experienced for Lola. It took her a while to build confidence and show off her true self.
Page said: “When she first arrived at the shelter, she was fearful, overwhelmed, and slow to warm up, which is common for dogs in a new and stressful environment. But once she started to feel safe, her personality began to shine. She is incredibly sweet and affectionate, and she’ll happily melt into your lap once she trusts you.”
In the days after Lola was found, the shelter shared her heartbreaking story on Facebook. The post explained that she “stayed with what she knew” and she “stayed right next to the bag of food” she had.
The Facebook post has generated over 1,100 reactions and more than 140 comments in the days since it was shared. While many were grateful she was rescued, that didn’t make her abandonment any less tear-jerking. The online response has been incredibly uplifting, with many social media users reaching out to show their care and support for Lola.
Page said: “It’s been a powerful reminder of how deeply people care about animals. Situations like this happen more often than many people realize, involving all kinds of animals. We’re grateful when a story like hers brings attention to the bigger picture and helps people understand the work shelters are doing every day.”
Thankfully, Lola is now in a home as part of a foster to adopt scheme. She has settled into her new home incredibly well and Page says all signs point towards permanent adoption.
Lola may be in a much happier chapter of life now, although her story is an important reminder of the countless animals that are still in need of help. If anyone is struggling to care for their pet, Page encourages them to seek out available resources and know they aren’t alone. She told Newsweek that reaching out for help “is always the better option,” which is why places like the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter are there to assist.
“We would always much rather have a conversation and help find a solution than see an animal put in a dangerous situation. Abandoning an animal can have serious consequences, but more importantly, it puts that animal at risk. While Lola’s story started in a heartbreaking way, it’s ending on a hopeful note, which is exactly what we hope for every animal that comes through our doors,” Page said.
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