***For every comment* left on Love and a Six-Foot Leash posts from December 15th-December 31st 2010, we will donate one pound of high-quality dog food to Lollie’s sugar daddy, the Montgomery County Humane Society. Together, by spreading the word about adoptable Lollie Wonderdog, we can find her a forever home.***

As each December draws to a close, I start feeling a little sentimental and reflective, thinking back on the year’s adventures. It was a big year for us at Casa Fosterfamily; in 2010 we bought our first home, I started a new job, and we took in our first foster dog: Lollie Wonderdog.

So to celebrate the year’s end (with an added bonus of catching up any interested readers who haven’t been with us from the start), Here is a brief synopsis of the portion of the year that we have shared with sweet Lollie Wonderdog.

<<A note to the less blog-savvy: you can hold the CTRL key and click on any of the underlined blue phrases to open a new window with the post that is referenced. This is a great way to catch up on Lollie’s past progress!>>

First, a bit of background. We had a specific type of animal in mind in fostering—a pit bull diamond in the rough. The type of dog that has boundless love to give, is gentle and sweet with people, but routinely gets overlooked at the shelter because there are so many other pits available for adoption—ones that are younger, ones that have shinier fur, ones that have flawless complexions. Lollie fit our criteria perfectly. She was a staff favorite at the shelter and had a sweet disposition. But she was super skinny, her face and arms were sprinkled with scars, her fur was dull and yellowed, and her nipples were stretched and red. She was perfect. 

Lollie joined us as a foster at the end of October—a wonderful dog with a sad past and a bleak future at the shelter. Once home, she quickly proved to be housebroken—whew!—and a fast study, quickly settling in to a housedog routine. Still, there was a long way to go. She had to learn to play with toys, eat snacks, and solve puzzles.

Shortly after she came into our home, she put the smackdown on pet overpopulation by getting spayed . . . which led to the much dreaded cone de shame. That didn’t keep her spirits down for long, though.

Being the charismatic dog that she is, she insisted on frequent baths so that she could always be ready for media attention—both online and television.

Despite the outward appearance of a well-adjusted dog, she was still catching up on simple things. For example, she had to learn how to snuggle to show her affection. With that out of the way, she also learned how to dance.

Every step of the way, she amazed us with how quickly she learns. We always thought our own wonderdog Chick is the smartest dog on the planet, but Lollie learns new things about five times faster than he did. Pleased with her appearance and behavior, Lollie insisted that we go out on the town to show the world what a perfect companion she is (an activity that would have been terrifying and overwhelming to her at first, when she would spook at any loud noise).

As time goes on, she continues to come up with new ways to make us laugh and share her love, like this, this, and this.

When she met Santa a few weeks ago, she asked him for a real forever family for Christmas. So far Santa has not delivered, but we keep telling her that if she is patient, the right family is sure to come along. Could YOU make Lollie’s Christmas wish come true? Find out here!

*limit 250lbs of food

***For every comment* left on Love and a Six-Foot Leash posts from December 15th-December 31st 2010, we will donate one pound of high-quality dog food to Lollie’s sugar daddy, the Montgomery County Humane Society. Together, by spreading the word about adoptable Lollie Wonderdog, we can find her a forever home!!***

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for Lollie’s second open forum Q&A session. If you didn’t have a chance, don’t worry– we’ll do another in the new year! Send your questions as you think of them, and Lollie will give them her full attention.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you bring, and why?

A squirrel, a shovel, and a tin of altoids. The first would keep me entertained by frisking around. It would also dig holes and build elaborate sand castles with the second. And the third, well, I just hate having bad breath…

How do you make time to answer all of your fan mail?

I actually got a great deal on a personal assistant and have outsourced most of my pesky administrative work for me. This leaves me plenty of time for reading the classics, drinking fine brandies, and writing to my adoring fans.

Was she holding the treat out in her left hand, or had she given you the treat already, and you were feeling slightly bored/slightly amused at being photographed?

Hey smarty pants, you think you’ve got me all figured out huh? Well, you got me on that one (I got treats both before and after, and was quite amused), but what do you think was going on in this photo?

Where did you find that adorable sweatshirt?

I found it in my fosterbrother Chick’s closet. But you can get one at Amazon through a store called “Zack and Zoey.” Chick and I both weigh in the low 50s (I am broad-chested and muscular, he is tall and slim) and wear a large. Chick’s friend Pancho the English pointer (65lbs) wears an XL. If you get one, send pictures!

Snow or no snow – what’s your preference?

Gosh, this depends on so many things. Did it snow enough for fostermom and dad to get off work? Is there a nice fire in the fireplace? Did anybody think to buy me some winter boots? And most importantly, are squirrels easier to catch in the snow?

Will you make sure to tell your future adopters that I am part of the deal and I need to get at least occasional visitation rights?

Dave, my savior and my Santa, I can tell you that I will do my best. At a minimum, I am thinking about this: DC Councilmember Mary Cheh hosts a weekly “Coffee with Cheh” where residents can come hang out and ask her questions. What if I did a regular “Lounging with Lollie”? We could hang out, eat kibble, lick each other’s faces . . .

What would your most perfect furever home be like?

I’m going to be honest here. I am a very laid back lady and adapt so easily. The only must-haves for my forever home are a kind, gentle family (or person) who loves me, feeds me plenty, trains me well, and gives me a nice soft place to sleep. MCHS wants my forever family to be dog experienced and not have any young kids (just because I’m so strong I might accidentally knock them over when we’re playing). Some “nice to haves” are a big yard with a tall fence, activities such as running or hiking, and parents who love the song Last Christmas by Wham! as much as I do.

If you could go on a walk with any famous person (alive or dead) who would you pick to hold the other end of your leash?

John Travolta. If he’s as good of a walker as he is a dancer, it would be the funnest walk ever. And I’d make him sing to me in that great falsetto – it drives me wild with jubilation!

Lollie, will we see you at Christmas?

If you are fostermom and dad’s family, you bet your lucky buttons you’re gonna see me. If you’re anybody else, you too can be so lucky: just email fostermom and set up an appointment to meet me!

*limit 250lbs of food

***For every comment* left on Love and a Six-Foot Leash posts from December 15th-December 31st 2010, we will donate one pound of high-quality dog food to Lollie’s sugar daddy, the Montgomery County Humane Society. Together, by spreading the word about adoptable Lollie Wonderdog, we can find her a forever home!!***

We are up to 92 comments already! That means 92 pounds of food for homeless animals at the Montgomery County Humane Society come January. Thanks to all, and keep the comments coming!

Does this hoodie make my chin look fat?