Joan Hogsten Grimes was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She lived in Miami, Florida for 52 years. Joan and her husband, Thomas, were best friends in their journalism class in high school and at the University of Miami. They reunited and married in 2002 and live in Ocala, Florida. Joan attended the University on a scholastic scholarship. Joan is the proud mother of Gianna, a pediatrician in Mooresville, North Carolina, and Mickey, an attorney and gym owner in South Florida. Animals, including eight dogs, have been a part of Joan's life since 1945. She was inspired to write this book because of Lola's exceptional intelligence and sweetness. The heartbreak of having to give Lola up turned into a stirring and healing experience for Joan.