Names: Lyla (1-ish/female & Abbey Road(8 - female pit/lab mix)
Family Members: Ken, Allie, Harrison (4) & Annie (2)
Location: Cumming, GA
Nicknames: Lyla - Lylabean & Beanie Abbey Road - Boots & Bootie
5 of the best words/phrases that describe Lyla and Abbey:
Lyla:
- Snuggly
- Playful
- Loving
- Loyal
- Hungry (haha!)
Abbey Road:
- Cat-like
- Sleepy
- Snuggly
- Guard Dog
- Goofy
What makes Lyla & Abbey Road unique?: Lyla jumps like a deer mid-run. It's great! It shows how carefree she is. While Abbey is like a cat. She'd prefer to be on top of the couch cushions sleeping all day.
Cuddle buddies on the couch!
Rescue Story:
Abbey Road: We adopted Abbey Road, a lab/pit mix from the Richmond SPCA soon after we were married, when she was a puppy. I volunteered for one day and we had a dog. We had no previous experience with the breed, but soon learned what incredible traits they have.
Lyla: We lost our fur baby (Allie's Soulmate) Julia, on June 18th to a very aggressive form of lymphoma. At the time, we couldn't imagine having another dog. Sure enough an emptiness became evident in our home, especially for Abbey Road. Soon after adopting Abbey, the horrors of Michael Vick's dogfighting ring became national news, shedding light on the abuse and neglect these types of dogs are victim to. We followed his dogs rehabilitation at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, and were in awe of their ability to forgive and love. We knew we wanted to give a dog like this a 2nd chance. A month after Julia had passed we googled 'Pit Bull Rescue Atlanta' and Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue was the first organization to pop up. We scrolled through the pictures and saw Lyla and that was it, love at first sight! We then read her story and learned that her foster parents picked her up on the highway in Mobile, AL. (her fosters are Neely and Joe, featured earlier with Walter and Lucky, they were actually on their way to Florida on vacation when they spotted her). She was eating dirt, pregnant and very heart worm positive. We knew we wanted to give this sweet girl a second chance in a loving, safe environment! We visited Lyla at Neely & Joe's house every week for 2 months while she completed her heart worm treatment. ( the drive is almost an hour each way). With each visit, she became more comfortable with our family. She came to live with us on Sept 24th, 2014. Its been an absolute joy to love her!
Lyla in Joe & Neely's car after her rescue in Alabama.
Lyla and her foster sibs, Lucky & Walter ( Shine A light contributors)
What is your favorite pastime as a family: We love snuggling on the couch with Lyla, it's her favorite spot in the house. We love to watch Abbey rocket run around the house when she is excited.
What is your life like since you rescued Lyla & Abbey Road?: Our lives are more loving. Abbey is a lover. There is no way to be in a bad mood when she is around. With Lyla life is also more loving and also less judging. Lyla represents the underdogs of the world - those who society stereotypes and expects/allows to fail. Lyla is an example to our children that you don't have to fit in or give in. Love is always the answer. Lyla is quite simply happy. She shows no sign of her previous life as a stray. She loves all people, and loves us. All you need is love....and a dog!!
Photographers Notes: I was so excited that Allie volunteered for Shine A Light due to the link with our previous contributors and also to be able to illustrate a complete rescue story. So often we rescue our dogs from shelters and don't know their back story or their history. In Lyla's case, we may not know how she ended up on the streets, but we definitely know the rest of her story and how truly wonderful it turned out. Both of these pups are just as sweet as can be and truth be told, I was trying to figure out ways I could sneak Lyla into my car and take her home! : )
A girl and her dog! I had to add this photo because it's so darn cute.