Imagine a life marked by instability, fear, and repeated goodbyes. For many rescue animals, this is a painful reality, and for Lulu, an adorable bulldog, it was her story for far too long. Abused and rehomed a staggering five times, Lulu’s future looked bleak—until one day, everything changed.
Now, thanks to the unwavering love of her new mom, Amandine, Lulu is thriving in Phoenix, Arizona, and her heartwarming transformation is melting hearts across the internet.
Amandine recently shared a precious TikTok video of her giving Lulu “daily affirmations,” a simple yet powerful ritual that perfectly captures the profound peace Lulu now experiences. It’s a stark contrast to the life she once knew.
Lulu’s journey to Amandine was already extraordinary. She was discovered on Petfinder by a Boston Terrier rescue, an organization that rarely takes in other breeds, which speaks volumes about the direness of Lulu’s situation.
Amandine learned about Lulu’s traumatic past: a history of abuse and multiple rehomings. This explained the shelter’s understandable caution in placing her—they needed to find her truly perfect match.
Despite Lulu’s reputation for being stubborn, and her existing health issues common to bulldogs like respiratory problems and joint issues, Amandine and her family felt an immediate, undeniable connection. They knew this special girl was meant to be theirs.
Life with Lulu wasn’t an instant fairytale, however. For the first four months, she struggled to get along with the family’s other dogs, a clear manifestation of her past trauma.
But with Amandine and her daughter, Lulu quickly formed an unbreakable bond. The turning point in Lulu’s transformation involved a two-pronged approach: first, addressing her untreated physical health problems, and then, diving deep into her mental and emotional well-being.
Amandine poured patience, consistent love, structure, and dedicated training into Lulu’s life. And then, there were the daily affirmations – moments of quiet connection, reinforcing safety and love.
As a 2018 study suggests, even just 15 minutes of petting can significantly improve a shelter pet’s mental health. Amandine intuitively understood that Lulu, as an abused dog, carried a heavy “baggage” that required time and space to unpack and heal.
She gave Lulu the freedom to feel truly safe, perhaps for the very first time.
Today, Lulu is a “totally different dog.” The scared, guarded bulldog is gone, replaced by a playful, affectionate companion who has even conquered physical challenges, like independently climbing stairs.
Her story is a powerful testament to the healing power of a patient, loving home.
Amandine shared Lulu’s journey to inspire others, especially those considering adopting a dog with a difficult past. She stresses that these resilient animals are “still worthy of love” and are capable of incredible transformations.
All they truly need is time, patience, and the right home to finally flourish. Lulu’s life is living proof that even the most “stubborn, scared, or ‘unlovable'” dogs can find profound happiness and become the most cherished members of a family.
Isn’t that a story worth sharing?
