Of course LhoLa was a star in our book, Musa Masala, Mountain Girl of the Himalaya. She fit in perfectly for a story about a Sherpa girl who had to make it herself in the mountain world. LhoLa was the friend Musa needed to show her the good in people and how to snag momos from the back of the teahouses.
Our painting of the murals from the book at the Wongchhu Sherpa Memorial Hospital have a big red LhoLa right there waiting for visitors. We hope she brings some calm and grins to the patients when they see her there.

We will see her in our new book, Musa Masala and the Rescue on Ama Dablam, always near Musa, always a friend. We know she will always be with us, and Luanne. She was unforgettable. 
Here Luanne shares with us about her.

Thanks, Luanne, for letting us reprint your story from your social media page.

Saying goodbye to my constant companion

On Sunday I said goodbye to my constant companion of 15 1/2 years. LhoLa, named after my favorite pass on the flanks of Everest, was born a feral pup in the hills above Pheriche. A few months later I locked eyes with her on my way up to Everest base camp, and made a sometimes funny, stressful, logistically crazy return trip home with her that season.

She was a willful girl, into all kinds of trouble in her early years, but mellowed out and became a real love bug who would follow me anywhere – on hikes, long cross country ski trails, and even on top of a paddle board (she was not thrilled with water) – and endured my long absences off the continent being cared for by dear friends.

She was featured in a children’s book, Musa Masala: Mountain Girl of the Himalaya, written by friends to raise funds for the Wongchhu Sherpa Memorial Hospital. And when artists painted her image on the walls of that hospital, I was invited to help out too.

She comforted me through heartbreak and moves and was a sweet partner during a long era of my life. She was welcomed over the rainbow bridge by Candy, Mishka, Moki, Rama, Dobie, Jughead, Sam, Waldo, Tucker, Amos, and so many other good buddies.

Thanks for all the support from my pet loving friends and family. It means the world to me to be surrounded by people who understand this grief and will help coach me through it.

Dr. Luanne Freer