Our pets are simply not with us long enough. I wish we could have them by our sides forever. But their lives are so full of love and enjoyment that 13 years with a best friend, like my Lola, can feel like a lifetime. On Thursday I said goodbye to my sweet, sweet Lola. We enjoyed 13 years together full of amazing memories. There are too many afternoon swims to count, hikes around Frick Park, Hidden Valley and Guernsey, tons of treats (some made by me to celebrate special occasions like her 11th birthday), thousands of photos with her signature stare and hearts full of so much love.

I will miss my Lola girl so much, but looking back at all the photos and the amazing times we had together makes me realize that she’s in a much happier place now while she looks over Lucy and I. Take a look at some of our best times together starting with Lola with her parents in Guernsey.

Lola with one of her best buddies, Dirks, at Hidden Valley in the Fall. Lola loved hiking with me on the ski slopes in the Summer. She’d hunt for groundhogs in every ditch, then run down to the lake to scare off the geese! She also used to walk by herself down to our neighbors’ houses looking for any open garage doors and dog food stashes (she scored a few times and came home looking like she swallowed a basketball!).

Lola was more of a wilderness girl than a city dog, she only went downtown with me a few times. This was for Pup Night at PNC Park one year. I’m guessing Lola was about 3 or 4 years old.

Lola absolutely loved the snow! I remember taking so many walks after big blizzards. When she was younger she’d jump through the snow banks like a bunny.

And then Lucy happened! Lola was 9 years old when I got Lucy and was still really playful. We all played, walked, hiked and swam together right up until this year. I feel so lucky that Lola was active for so long, and I’m sure Lucy had something to do with that. Lola was a great puppy trainer!

Shortly after getting Lucy we met Jenny Karlsson, an amazing pet photographer who we were lucky to befriend and work with on many fun photoshoots. I’m so appreciative of Jenny’s skills and so lucky to have these amazing photos of Lola and Lucy to cherish forever. Above is the first photo we ever did with Jenny, and below are three from other photoshoots we did together at Mellon Park.

I will love you forever Lola!

Lola
3/2/2003 – 8/11/2016.