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The life of Lucky

ADOPT 08 CONTEST

Arf! Arf!

When I think about adoption...I think of the wonderful life I had. Of course, it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, as I did have a rough start to my life.

When I was around a year old, I was caught roaming the streets of Romulus, Michigan by the Animal Control officer. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper at all about being captured. When we got back to the animal shelter, I wouldn't let the officer pet me at all. In fact, I tried to bite her (not a good decision on my part). She knew I was young and told me she would give me until the end of the day to warm up to her...

Apparently, I understood what she meant. By the end of the day, I let her pet me a little bit and accepted some food from her, although I was still very skittish.

At that time, my future human sister was writing for a newspaper in the area. She kept in contact with the shelter to feature the "Adoptable Pet of the Week". Around the time I was found, my future mom was looking for a small dog for her own mother (who would eventually end up in a nursing home, leaving me to live with her daughter...who I call mom. It's confusing, I know). She told my human sister to ask the Animal Control officer to keep an eye out for a small dog, preferably a poodle.

The Animal Control officer, who decided that I had passed the test and could be adopted, called my sister. She told my sister to come look at me, explaining that I was very skittish and not to worry if I "wasn't the right one".

When my sister first laid eyes on me, she said I looked like a combination of Sammy Hagar and Animal from the Muppets. My hair was all overgrown, curly and matted and she couldn't see my eyes at all. Plus, she said I stunk to high Heaven. I wouldn't go near her at first. I just kept walking back and forth on the other side of the office. My sister finally got down on the floor with me. This made me curious. What kind of weirdo would do something like that? The kind that knew all I needed was for someone to come down on my level.
She had a treat in her hand. I walked up to her, warily accepted the treat and allowed her to pet me...just a little. It wasn't so bad.

My sister made the call to her mom. She explained that, while I was going to need some time and patience, I was the right dog. Plus, she was really worried that no one else would give me the chance I needed.

I WAS ADOPTED!!!!

Even though it was a cool evening (in the fall), we rode home with the windows open (my sister couldn't handle the smell coming from me). I got a couple of baths that night and went for a haircut the next day.
I was like a brand new dog!! I was so happy to have a furever home, I became a love sponge right away. I couldn't get enough of being hugged on and kissed on and petted. I was the complete opposite of what my sister had seen at the shelter. I was no longer timid, and I never tried to bite anyone.

I had a great life. It was so much better than the alternative. I'm so thankful the Animal Control officer understood that I just needed a little time. I'm also thankful that my sister was able to see past the grunge and the smell to see the real me that was underneath. I wish everyone would do that!

Don't judge a book by its cover...adopt your best friend today!!

Lucky

My visit with Santa

Woof!

It was quite an interesting day today.
My sister Lori loaded me and Bailey in the car and took us to see Santa Claus.
This wasn't just any Santa, it was the real guy!!! He took time out of his busy schedule to come to the mall in Ann Arbor (MI).
When we got there, the little moron (aka Bailey), showed me up by prancing alongside his mom, while I insisted on being carried by my dad.
It was rather traumatic, as there were so many people there. By the time we got to where Santa was receiving guests, we had passed half the world's population.
We got in line behind about a million people, some with dogs, some with small children, one with a real live cat!!!
The little moron continued to show me up while we were in line. People kept coming up saying how adorable he was and petting him and kissing on him. A few of them did say I was adorable and petted me (I wasn't completely ignored, unfortunately).
After what seemed like hours of standing there (or being held while dad stood), we made it to the front of the line.
Dad handed me off to Santa. I wasn't scared at all!
Then, something magical happened...Santa was loving all over me! He said he had an apricot poodle for about 17 years that went to the Bridge last year. Santa was a little emotional when he was talking about his dog, it was so sweet.
Then, my sister brought this stiff-as-a board Bailey over to put him on Santa's lap...Helloooooo....hasn't the man endured enough? He lost a wonderful dog last year, was strolling down memory lane with me, and then got stuck with a Jack Russell Terrier statue on his lap. Stop the madness!!!
Bailey finally loosened up, and even slobbered all over my dear Santa's face! It was a really embarrassing display!

Well Mr. Santa, I guess I'll see you next year. Maybe next time, we'll leave the little dust catcher (Bailey) at home and we can really enjoy our visit...
Lucky

It's not the ride, it's the destination...

Woof!!
Today, my sister, Lori, took me and Bailey for a ride in the car.
I love going bye-bye in the car!!
Bailey was running around like a moron in the backseat, while I co-piloted from the front passenger seat. It's a beautiful day, a good day for a ride (like there are any bad days for a ride...).
After several minutes, Lori pulled in a driveway. It was then that I realized I didn't really want to go bye-bye with her.
The driveway we pulled into was at my sister, Jennifer's house.
Crap.
As Lori was shutting the car off, I was climbing into the backseat. The little moron noticed where we were, and he got real excited. He jumped into the front seat and tried to get out before his mom even had the door open. She picked him up and carried him to Jennifer's backyard.
When Lori came back for me, I was still firmly planted in the backseat on the passenger side, laying down. She called my name, I didn't budge. She practically begged me to get up and get out of the car. Nothing. So, she was left with no other option. She opened the backdoor. So what?
I barely looked at her, and pretended I couldn't see or hear her calling me over and over. It was then that she reached across the seat and pulled me out. I wouldn't say I was kicking and screaming, but Lori might...
Why, you might ask, would I act like this?? Wellll, I know what danger lurks within that house. He's around 2 feet tall, likes to pull fur and makes a LOT of noise.
Although baby Tyler did give me a sweet hug, I spent most of my visit hiding behind the toilet...How embarassing!

I'm home now, waiting for my therapist to call me back. Next time, I'll ask where we're going before I rush out and jump in the car so willingly!

Lucky