Somerset County’s own Lakoda is stealing hearts — and the spotlight — as our Somerset Hills City Lifestyle doggy cover model. With her teddy bear face and joyful energy, this nearly 2-year-old mini goldendoodle is the embodiment of charm, comfort and unconditional love
Lakoda was adopted in September 2023 by her dad and grandfather. Her journey home wasn’t exactly smooth—she cried the entire way. But everything changed the moment they pulled into the driveway. “As soon as we got home, she jumped out of the car, met her cousins Kahlua and Brandy, and it was like a switch flipped,” her dad shared. “She was instantly running around the backyard, tail wagging like she’d always belonged here.”
From that day on, Lakoda has been the heart of her family. She quickly claimed her role as the household’s resident lovebug, snuggler, and comic relief. Whether she’s trotting through downtown Somerville to greet familiar faces or flopping over mid-walk to request a belly rub, Lakoda makes her presence known—and adored—everywhere she goes.
“She brings so much joy,” her owner says. “There isn’t a moment she’s not making someone smile.”
Lakoda has a few favorite pastimes: playing fetch with tennis balls, napping in cool, shady spots, and enjoying treats—especially cookies from her favorite local pet bakeries. Her taste is refined, and she’s not afraid to let her family know which treats pass the sniff test. “She’s a bit of a cookie connoisseur,” her owner jokes. “We spoil her, but she gives so much love in return—it’s impossible not to.”
And don’t let her fluff fool you—Lakoda has skills! Her go-to trick is the classic “sit and paw,” often executed with military precision if she knows a treat is coming. She also knows how to milk a moment for attention, often standing up on two legs or letting out a dramatic sigh if someone stops petting her too soon.
More than her tricks and cuteness, it’s Lakoda’s spirit that truly makes her special. Her owner describes her as a beacon during hard times, a calm presence in the chaos of life. “She’s by my side from morning to night,” he says. “She’s more than a pet—she’s family, and she gives me the kind of love that heals.”
Lakoda’s name is derived from a Native American word meaning “friend to us.” And it fits her perfectly. She’s gentle, open-hearted, and always ready to make a new friend—whether it’s a toddler on the sidewalk or a fellow pup at the park.
If Lakoda could share one message with the world, her family believes it would be this: “Walk beside each other—on two legs or four—as friends to the Earth, to one another, and to the future.”
As the face of this year’s doggy cover, Lakoda reminds us all of the beauty in companionship, the joy of connection, and the powerful love our furry friends bring into our lives—every single day.