Lola the Dachshund gets a new home

Many of you have been following the story of Lola, the Dachshund puppy that was tossed from the balcony of a third floor apartment in March 2012. The woman accused of throwing Lola from her balcony is Kendria Dexter.

According to Dexter’s roommate, Dexter threw her dog over the balcony of their apartment in the heat of an argument over a pair of headphones. The manager of the apartment complex went to Lola’s aid and rushed her to South Alabama Spay and Neuter clinic as she struggled to breath.

Dr. Jeni Knizley says Lola was in critical condition, and she didn't give her much hope of puling through. But Lola did and a little more than a month later, the miracle puppy is getting ready to go to her forever home.

Her new parents are Bill Cartledge and Jim Hall. Lola will have two brothers, Ricky and Fred, also Doxies. Lola first came to Bill's attention when he made a post on Facebook on April 5 that read, "Is thinking puppy thoughts... go away puppy thoughts". Bill says almost immediately a friend sent him an article about Lola.

Bill says he read the story with a knot in his stomach wondering how anyone could do something so cruel to a creature so innocent. He didn't know if Lola would even make it after all she had been through and began to have mixed emotions, some happy for the animals who have been saved, but sad for those who have not made it, and who would not make it.

May 10, 2012 will be one year since Bill and Jim lost their beloved Lucy. She was a 16-year-old miniature long-haired Dachshund, who was their constant companion, traveling everywhere with them, from Alaska to Key West and places in between. Bill says he talks to Lucy in her little urn all the time, and asked her, "If the love we all shared, transcends all space and time and if you think it's time for us to pass that love along, then it's up to you".

Bill filled out an application to adopt Lola. He says he and Jim had gotten very attached to a puppy they had not met, and started doubting they would get her because they live so far away. But they will be adopting her, and Bill and Jim say they are overjoyed, and they thank Lucy for allowing them to think that love does transcend all space and time.

Bill and Jim are on a committee to get a new animal shelter built in Key West. They are avid advocates of animal welfare. The official dog of Key West is the Dachshund,and they plan to make Lola the face for abused animals across the nation. They say she will have a wonderful life filled with lots of love.

There will be a reception at Cafe 615 Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm to welcome her new parents. You can also meet them, as well as Lola, and wish her well in her new life. Lola's new family has been chosen because of their desire to take what happened to Lola and make it have a positive, lasting benefit.