Pet of the Week puts a spotlight on a furry friend who is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society at the time of the article’s publication. According to ASPCA, dog adoption numbers are down nationwide, which adds additional strain on shelters that are already struggling to accommodate high volumes of animals. Lawrence Humane is no exception.

Through Pet of the Week, readers can learn about a pup before they visit the shelter. The featured furball is selected by shelter staff members, who provide all details on the animal’s personality and history.

Lawrence Humane Society staff are challenging any potential Coco adopter to run a DNA test on her.

A terrier mix, Coco’s exact breed has thus far eluded her friends at the shelter. They do know with certainty that she’s about 28 pounds and 8 years old.

Elina Alterman, chief development officer at LHS, suspects that 8 might be middle-aged for Coco, who is likely to live longer than many dogs because of her small size. Regardless, Alterman said that there’s nothing like the love of a senior dog.

“They are so grateful, so loving, and fit seamlessly into your household,” she wrote via email. “Puppies are adorable, but I will choose a senior dog each and every time.”

Coco came to the shelter two months ago as a stray and was never reclaimed. She is currently in foster care, where her foster parent says she is a professional couch potato.

“Coco loves snuggles, sharing blankets, and calm nights by the fire,” the foster parent wrote. “Coco is completely indifferent to other dogs, cats, or children. Marathon runner? She’s not the girl for you. Netflix binge watcher? Coco’s down. Still watching? Yes, yes we are.”

The foster parent says she’d do best in a home sans stairs or with people who are game to carry her up and down the stairs so she can stay near her humans.

Coco gets along with all kinds, from other dogs to cats to kids. She is house-trained and has short bursts of energy before she decides it’s nap time.

She needs to take a daily pill for her arthritis. Alterman said an adopter’s vet can help them with the medication, which is inexpensive.

Coco is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $75.

Lawrence Humane will be closed Thursday for the holiday but open until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23; from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24; and from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26.

As Coco is in foster care, interested adopters can arrange a meeting by emailing LHS’s adoptions team at adoptions@lawrencehumane.org or by calling 785-843-6835.

Pet of the Week stars and where they are now

These furry friends could use a foster home while waiting for adoption:

• Unflappable Cardi B. is not the drama — she wants to be someone’s peace, be it a foster parent or an adopter.
• Brutus, valiant protector of small children, is no longer in a foster home. The shelter staff say they really need to find him a foster home or adopter.
• Eanid is at the shelter and ready to meet her foster or forever Wednesday Addams.
• Flycatcher, the shepherd mix who lives up to his name, is waiting to be adopted. The shelter would love to find a foster for him in the meantime.
• Ruby and her speckled tongue are waiting for a foster home or adopter.

These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:

• Snoozy Susie is waiting for an adopter who she can take naps alongside forevermore. As of publication time, people can meet her in the shelter while her foster is out of town.
• Kiba has been thriving in foster care, where he is waiting for an adopter.

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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at wulfe@lawrencekstimes.com.

Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.

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