Sweet, lively, and brimming with attitude, Alucard was a soul of contrasts. In the mornings, she sought warmth in a cuddle; by daylight, she demanded her “window time,” staring out upon the passing world with a voice uniquely her own—strange trills for the birds, curious chatter for those who walked by. And always, she gazed deep into the eyes of those she loved, as if to say, this is my life, and I am glad it is with you.

Nola didn’t walk in casually—she marched in and found her way straight to the heart of her family before they even knew that they were hers.

One afternoon, Nola appeared at Josh’s work: she pressed her warm body into his lap as though she had always belonged there and took away Josh's choice to adopt a new friend. It was love at first sniff. By the next day, he was on the phone to Trina: “I’m bringing home a new girl.” The breed didn’t matter. The connection already had a name.

From the moment she arrived, Nola lived with a deep awareness of her people. She was the kind of dog who noticed... the kind who paid attention. Her “super snoot” wasn’t just for sniffing; it was for clearing a path, nudging away obstacles, or finding her way to the one who needed her most. She had no training for it, but when Trina fell in the street after surgery, Nola stayed close, steady and sure, until help came. It was her nature: to protect, to care, to make sure everyone was safe.