LUCKY ONES HAPPY ENDINGS

Success stories and updates from our Lucky Ones

Jax

Jax is a big, lovable Shepard/Collie/Burmese Mountain dog mix who became a true Christmas miracle.  When Lucky Ones picked Jax up from the shelter, he was lying in his pen with his long legs sticking out under the door.  Jax was given up by a family who was moving and could not take him with them.  Jax found his forever family just before Christmas at the Lucky Ones showcase event at Petsmart.  It was a perfect match from the moment owner and dog saw each other. 

Jax loved his new home and his buddy Buck, the other dog in the house.  Even the cats in the house knew right away that Jax was a great guy.  Shortly after Christmas, Jax appeared to be sick to his stomach and in distress.  Immediately taken to the local emergency vet, it turned out that Jax was suffering from a deadly condition called Bloat.  In large-chested dogs like Jax, the stomach can twist causing considerable pain and inability to take in food or get rid of it.  Bloat can take the life of a dog in hours.  Jax successfully underwent surgery to untwist his stomach and then anchor it within the abdominal wall to prevent another episode.  He continues to enjoy his forever home thanks to quick and loving care from his devoted owner.

Jax enjoys being a part of the Lucky Ones family, offering his calm and gentle nature to help Lucky Ones foster dogs in his home.  He gets along with and helps socialize foster dogs who have experienced trauma, abandonment, and sometimes abuse.  He really is the best buddy dog you could ask for.  With his rescue and overcoming life-threatening illness, Jax is truly a Lucky One.

Lily

Hi Everyone,

You may not remember me, but my name is Lily and I am a sweet, quiet mostly black Spaniel-mix which was adopted out last summer and returned briefly around the holidays.

I will never forget the kindness and love you showed me when I needed it most so I wanted to tell you that I am safe and well.

I'm not entirely sure of why the "forever home" you found for me didn't work out...or how exactly I ended up in another shelter in the greater Boston area but I'm glad I did.   I don't even know where to start!

My new forever home has very nice people who love their animals very much.  They cared for their last dog so much that he was able to survive cancer twice so I know they will take care of me and give me all I need.  They took me to their doggy doctor. She loved me and said (other than a small parasite problem) I was wonderful and would have taken me home herself had she seen me at the shelter. 

I have many new friends here. My new mom and dad also live with Ziggy and Marley, they're cats.  I don't try to eat them and they don't give me a hard time.  They also have a gerbil in the room I can't go in (I rather suspect it is more to keep the cat's out). Lastly, dad has a big bird that wears bells and lives in the backyard but Dad brings him in the house a couple mornings a week.  The bird is a bit scary but I still like to jump up to try and see in the cage when we are outside.   Also, while on my walks I have met Ginger and Nixon the Collies up the street and Walter the Basset Hound down at the corner.

Speaking of the bird in the backyard,  what a backyard it is.  It has been covered with snow the entire month I've been here but it has lots of trees and a lot of open space. If I ever do bark, the neighbors will never hear me.  A whole acre for me..and the gardens. (I have begun plotting already to steal tomatoes next summer, wish me luck). There are all sorts of interesting smells: Squirrels, mice, rabbits, deer,  the occasional coyote and something dad calls "the compost pile".  I really like how that smells but for some reason they never let me dig it up and roll in it..

While my new mom and dad have to work they bring me to a place they call "Auntie Cindy's" and I have new friends there too. There's Buffy the Chihuahua, she barks a lot. Piper the Lab lives there as well. She doesn't bark a lot, but when she does it's loud. And the cats...so  many cats. I am not certain but I believe there are even more cats upstairs who I have not met yet. When I need to go out, the people at Auntie CIndy's take me for walks and they have a secure, fenced-in run.

I really love my new forever home. They feed me well and regularly, but not too much. On weekends I get scrambled eggs cooked in just a bit of oil, they say it's good for my coat. 

 We walk together a lot, sometimes as little as a quick run outside to pee, sometimes we go to the bike path and walk as much as two miles. Daddy says the bike path is a good experience so I can socialize with other dogs. They also say I need to learn to walk "nicer" on the leash so I have a nice new blue harness.  Once I get better about not pulling, my new daddy says he will get me my own pack and we're going to go hiking in the woods and the mountains.

I have my choice of two different couches which they let me sleep on and sometimes we all crowd onto one couch and watch TV together.  Also,  I have my own bed near my new people's bed but they let me come up with them if I want...and I usually do.

My new people are always petting me and rubbing my belly and scratching behind my ears and telling me how lucky they are to have found such a wonderful dog. It makes me feel good. Mommy says I'm a "daddy's girl" but I love them both.  Sometimes they get a bit sad when they think, "What could have happened that someone had to give up such a wonderful dog?". 

So thank you again for all the love and care and kindness and dog cookies!!  I'll try to stay in touch, maybe send some pictures...

With Love,

Lily  

Jazzy

Jazzy is a mixed border collie (maybe pointer or lab) and is now 6 years old.  She was 10 weeks old when adopted at a CFC event at the Navel Station Indian Head, MD.  Jazzy had been returned to the shelter and Lucky Ones picked her up that morning. We have been pals ever since.  For the last 5 years, Jazzy has also lived with her now 10 year old golden retriever pal.  She believes the golden is her own personal sheep to herd.  They have great fun.  She is something else - tons of personality.  Friends are fascinated when she actually tries to communicate using a variety of vocal tones and paws...too much fun.