The story of Lulu, a 5-year-old American bulldog, is a poignant reminder of the best and worst of humanity.
Her journey began with a heartbreaking betrayal, abandoned in the treacherous Florida Everglades, a place where countless dogs are left to die.
But through a series of compassionate acts, her story has a happy ending that proves kindness can conquer even the darkest circumstances.
Lulu’s life on her own was one of immense suffering. She was found emaciated, her paws burned from the scorching asphalt and her tail swarming with fleas.
A veterinarian later determined she was 20 pounds underweight and suffering from multiple injuries, including cuts, burns, and a painful anal fistula.
She also had a mammary tumor and other issues that would require extensive medical care. She was a dog left with nothing but pain and fear.
Her rescue was a true act of fate. On a dark night, Emily Loomis, a vacationer from Chicago, was driving near Biscayne National Park when she saw a dog standing under a dim streetlight.
Emaciated and terrified, Lulu was a shadow of a dog. But when Emily opened her car door, Lulu, in a moment of desperate hope, jumped right in, panting and licking her saviors’ hands and faces.
By the look of her body, Emily knew the dog must have been out there for days.
The fight to save Lulu had just begun. Emily called about a dozen rescues, but each one told her the same devastating truth: abandonments are common in the Everglades, and they were overwhelmed.
Emily’s mother then connected with her friend Lauren Provenzano, a Stuart, Florida resident with a big heart for rescue animals.
Without hesitation, Lauren agreed to help. She met Emily, took Lulu to a veterinarian, and became her unwavering advocate.
It was during Lulu’s week-long stay at the vet that a new chapter began.
Lauren visited her every day, falling in love with the resilient bulldog.
She took on the financial responsibility of all of Lulu’s medical bills, covering the cost of surgery to remove her tumor, antibiotics, and proper nutrition.
Lulu, once facing death, was now on the path to recovery.
Lulu’s story is a powerful testament to the compassion of people like Emily and Lauren.
It also sheds light on the tragic epidemic of dog abandonment in the Everglades.
While some people may take their pets to a shelter, others leave them to face a long list of threats, from starvation and dehydration to predators and vehicle collisions.
Today, Lulu’s life is a world away from the swamp.
She lives in a loving home with a cozy bed, a full food bowl, and the constant companionship of her also-rescued siblings, Franklin and Liam.
She wears a pink collar and even pink pajamas.
She’s a good girl, and her spirit is a testament to the fact that even after facing unimaginable cruelty, a dog’s capacity for love and trust remains intact.
As Lauren said, “If people learn from this, that’s the best thing. You got to do something, got to help.”
