Lola arrived on Monroe Street about 18 months ago after being picked up as a stray in Janesville. She was roughly a year old, skinny, boogery and looking for a family.
Today she is 2½, considerably more comfortable and, according to her household, "a m'f'ing baby."
The evidence is substantial.
Lola demands kisses on the nose. She sleeps the first half of the night in her crate, described as a "blanket fort," before relocating around 2 a.m. to the human bed, where she burrows under the covers. Below 60 degrees, she prefers pajamas.
When her people work on puzzles at the kitchen table, Lola becomes unhappy unless her own chair, a brown velvet 1970s barrel chair known as the "Grogu Pod," is pulled up alongside them.
Lola also enjoys Brewers games, riding through town with one elbow hanging out the passenger window, and her boyfriend Franklin of Terry Place.
Her list of enemies is shorter. At present, it consists mainly of umbrellas, which she regards as deeply suspicious and possibly up to something.
Some people give Lola extra room on the sidewalk. Others immediately want to meet her.
Her family says living with her has taught them not to treat either reaction as the whole story. Lola is exceptionally affectionate with people, but they are deliberate about introductions to other dogs. Rather than letting dogs meet nose-to-nose on a sidewalk, they prefer parallel walks, gradually closing the distance while everyone stays calm.
"We need to be intentional about every interaction with other dogs," her family said.
Lola now has four dog friends introduced this way.
Squirrels and rabbits, however, should not interpret this statement as an offer of peace.
Given the opportunity to respond directly to allegations that she is intimidating, Lola acknowledged her formidable appearance but emphasized her record with humans.
Finally, the Tattler asked the question on which the entire investigation ultimately rests:
Is Lola a good girl?
Lola answered yes and submitted an extensive list of character witnesses, including neighborhood children, a crossing guard, several nearby dogs, Grandma Linda, a man who once stopped specifically to rub her, and Franklin, her aforementioned boyfriend.
The Tattler has not independently contacted all witnesses.