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.
Sweet and skittish Lulu won’t love just anyone with a pulse. Behavioral staff at the shelter have spent months gaining her trust, but they say it’s a prize worth winning.
Lulu is only 2 years old, but has spent the last 254 days at LHS with little reprieve aside from a few Mass Street Mutts outings. She was transferred from a shelter in Oklahoma, where she was set to be euthanized. When the Chow Chow mix arrived at LHS, she was underweight and terrified of everything.
“What we did quickly realize is that whoever had her kept her outside and did not socialize her at all,” Elina Alterman, chief development officer at the shelter, wrote.
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As a result, Lulu was functionally feral. Alterman said “feral” is a spectrum. Some animals may be aggressive or mean; others, like Lulu, are shy and frightened.
“Someone really did Lulu a disservice and because of that, she had more hurdles to overcome than most dogs her age. It’s really heartbreaking and quite infuriating actually,” Alterman wrote.
But shelter staff didn’t write Lulu off. Alterman said Lexi Link, an adoption counselor at LHS, became the fluffy girl’s champion.
“Lexi has spent countless hours working with Lulu, slowly building her trust, and helping Lulu understand that humans aren’t so bad, there’s joy to be found in life, and that treats make everything better,” Alterman wrote.
Now, instead of running and hiding at the slightest provocation, Lulu opens up to more people, including staff and volunteers. She is playful with other pups during doggy playgroups, and is down for a car ride, given she’s loaded up with cheese treats.
Lulu may still be skittish at first, but once someone gains her trust, she’s not shy about telling her humans what she wants. Lulu barks when she’s ready to go outside or get pets, and she jumps and bows when she wants to play.
Lulu will still panic in unfamiliar situations, but she doesn’t get aggressive. She simply retreats, meaning she could use a safe space that’s just hers: a kennel, room or bed.
“But with patience and treats, she processes what she’s seeing, comes back, and will then snuggle up next to you and shove her head into your lap for pets,” Alterman wrote.
Lulu can live as an indoor dog as long as she has access to her beloved great outdoors through a doggy door, backyard, or walks and hikes. She also adores lounging by the doggy pool.
Lulu ideally shouldn’t be in a home with small children because they may scare her. She can live with older, calmer kids. The shelter doesn’t know how she handles cats, but Alterman thinks she could coexist with them if trained with treats and positive reinforcement. She’d thrive in a home with other dogs to befriend and build her confidence.
For the same reasons, shelter staff are confident Lulu can be house-trained — she just hasn’t had the opportunity yet. She’s currently progressing well on kennel training.
Lulu is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $150.
Pet of the Week stars and where they are now
Ash, who was so over the shelter and ready for creature comforts, now has them, as he’s been adopted. “I am so relieved that this sweet guy who was suffering so profoundly at the shelter is now a cherished member of someone’s family,” Alterman said.
Shelter staff say these furry friends are desperate for a foster or forever home:
• Happy-go-lucky Sammy needs someone to raise his spirits.
• Jasper is a pup who’s ready to take a roadtrip or a nap.
These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:
• This girl, Scout, is the only Caramel deLite you need.
• Big-hearted Axel knows he’s the best boy.
• Bob is a loving low rider and social butterfly.
• Pup cup fiend Miley is ready to be a KU tour guide.
• Dynamic doggy duo Charli and Bo share one soul.
• Rocket is an out-of-this-world snuggler.
• Unflappable brindle shepherd mix Cardi B. is not the drama.
• Fly, formerly Flycatcher, is Renaissance dog.
Those interested in adopting Lulu can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at [email protected] or call 785-843-6835.
People can also go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet her. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. People can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to a know a dog before adopting.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at [email protected] and fill out an application here. The Lawrence Humane Society provides foster parents with all necessary supplies and food, and they cover bills for medical care, behavioral support and more.
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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 [email protected].
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
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