Lucky

Age 6 1/2
AVAILABLE 11/15

Updated 11/9/11

Lucky’s foster family has just checked in, with many more details to share about this happy boy:

Lucky LOVES everybody. In the past week we've had a 6-year-old here to bake cookies with me… he wanted to play with her. At first she was a bit overwhelmed with his size. But, after cookie baking, she and Lucky became partners in crime.  At the other end of the age spectrum, we now have Paul’s 93-year-old mother  visiting, and Lucky wants to be right next to her, too. She uses a walker, but he would rather she use him! We have to watch this. He doesn't know his own strength. He's just a lover! If he gets very excited, he’ll jump up and put his paws on you; we’re working on that. (He is  strong!)

Lucky LOVES to play. He will retrieve, but doesn't always give the toy or ball right back upon returning with it. Also, he and our Zoe play non-stop now. For the first few days, he was settling in and recovering from his  neuter; but, once he was feeling better, the games began. They play a pretty rousing game of bitey-face. The two dogs also eat side by side with no problems.  As for  cats…. We had both dogs out on a walk and they spied a cat roaming free in a front yard, and both of them were wanting to run see about that!  They didn't bark, but were so very interested and wanted to go chase the kitty, if nothing else. I am not sure Lucky would do well living with a cat, though a dog-savvy feline might be fine.

He’s housebroken, and probably crate-trained… BUT he barked wildly when Paul started assembling the crate we have here! He had been crated during his vet stay, and probably while he was at the shelter, so he basically was saying (I think) "Enough is enough!" So, Paul folded the crate back up. Lucky does fine sleeping on a pallet next to our bed. When we’re out, we leave him loose in the house, with some rooms closed off.

He easily can reach almost anything on the counter and is very curious. He knows better than to perform any raids when we are home—but when we went out on Saturday, I left my Amish Friendship Bread dough on the counter, where I thought it would be out of his reach. Wrong! Lucky was able to reach the baggie of dough and when we got home there were only a few scraps of plastic left. Both dogs had enjoyed their ill-gotten gains! Now we’re careful not to leave anything where he could possibly get at it.

He is a really good sleeper. He paced a bit the first night. But, he's been great since then. He doesn't sleep a lot during the day. He is too busy following us around. He MUST be near us at all times. He loves any kind of touch. He wants to be petted or stroked 24-7!

Lucky is outgoing,  high energy at times but is really a sweetheart. NO aggressive bones in this body. He is a LOVER! He just wants to be with people all the time. He goes EVERYWHERE we go in the house. It has been so fun watching him gain confidence in being here and  really relaxing into a playful, joyful Golden.

He needs to be with a family who have TIME for him. He is starved for attention and craves it and thrives on it. He needs a firm hand with the manners. He does know some commands, but he would do well if taken through an obedience class with a good teacher and lots of practice. He LOVES treats, so, that would work well for training. He enjoys other dogs. But I am thinking he is such a huge presence that he might also do very well as the family's only dog.   He will make a GREAT companion for someone with lots of time to give him.

Lucky is a VERY SWEET soul. He brightens a room when he comes into it!  He's just a big ray of sunshine, and daily, as I watch him playfully enjoying life, I am reminded that this guy came within a day of not being here. That would have been such a waste. He's  definitely celebrating life now, and we are thrilled to be a part of the celebration.

Subject: Golden to be euthanized Thursday, Oct 27th

Hello, I am with an all-volunteer group that does adoptions for our local animal control in Port Lavaca (South Texas on the Gulf halfway between Houston &  Corpus Christi). We are allowed to use 11 cages in the city shelter for adoption.  Animal control euthanizes all the other animals because we don't have room. Animal control has a male Golden, very friendly, not neutered.  I was certain someone would claim him because he is  beautiful and looks cared for. Animal control picked him up as a stray. No one has called and they are going to put him down tomorrow.  If someone has  room for him, I  must know today as they euthanize in the morning. Please help if you  can.

Can you see why we decided to name this boy “Lucky”? The very day the above e-mail arrived, Bob made the 6-hour round trip to collect the handsome blondie. “This ranks among the best saves of the year,” he said.  “Lucky is a keeper and it would have been a tragedy to have him PTS at a shelter.  The shelter volunteer, Janice, said they only get one or two Goldens per year, and typically they’re either reclaimed or adopted quickly.  She was baffled that nobody came looking for Lucky and then no one wanted to adopt him either.  Her email was a last-ditch attempt to save his life.”

And Lucky is really enjoying his new life! His fur shines, his energy fizzes, and his tail wags nonstop. He had a little “blip” after his neuter surgery but quickly bounced back and seems to feel fantastic now.

“He clearly was Bubba's dog,” said Bob.  “He will jump in the back of any pickup if the tailgate is down.  He's a good car rider and generous with kisses while you’re driving.  He loves to bark at passing trucks!  He seems NEVER to have been on a leash.  He pulls every which way—HARD.  Hold on tight! The volunteer at the shelter says he loves kids so maybe he lived at a household with kids. He's got lots of personality and is a true cuddle muffin!”

Lucky has just moved to a new foster home, so we should have more information soon.