Sally J. Pahler

One Lucky Pup

He came to us at just five weeks old, this fuzzy little bundle of exuberance. We had recently lost our adored seven year old schnauzer to cancer and we did want another dog, but planned on adopting a grown dog. I told our vet to keep us in mind if someone was searching for a home for an older dog. We just didn't think we up to puppy training. And then fate stepped in.... A friend of our son's had two aussies (Penelope and Thor) who had produced a litter of six adorable pups. Bonnie posted pictures of the puppies often. She kept them in a pen in her business. Most of our small town knew they would be up for adoption in the weeks to come. Everyone shared the joy and loved the photos on social media. Many stopped by to chat with Bonnie and admire the growing pups. One day in early September a neighbor noticed that Bonnie hadn't been seen walking Thor and Penelope for a day or two. He called local police asking for a welfare check. The bouncy friendly redhead had been hiding some deep dispair. None of us knew the pain she had endured. Miss Bonnie had taken her life in the presence of her eight beloved dogs. That night the officers found the adult dogs but just one pup. They had been told that five additional puppies were present, but it was only a "welfare check". They couldn't search without a warrant. Animal control allowed our son Chris to take custody of the dogs, as they knew him. We were living in Chris's home. He came to give us the news of the tragedy and brought Penny, Thor, and a tiny frightened puppy. At just five weeks he wasn't really old enough to be weaned. I guess nobody told him that, because he dived right in to a bowl of kibble, lapped up some water, and fell asleep on my husband Mike's feet. He had chosen his person. We fell in love that night. The rest of the pups were found the next day, miraculously alive and well. They were taken in by a local chiropracter and sheltered until homes could be found. We kept Penelope and Thor until Bonnie's children could come from out of state to take them. We could not part with the pup, so he stayed. A life long friend of Mike's came by for a visit and heard the story. He petted the pup's head and said "I guess they oughtta call you Lucky!" So Lucky he became. On his first vet visit the doc said," I thought you were looking for an older dog!" I replied, "sometimes the dog chooses you!" Doc then asked did I want Lucky's tail docked as is often done with mini Aussies. "no," I said. "God gave him a tail, let's let him keep it!" Lucky's tail has been in constat action from that first day, expressing his joy. He was the easiest puppy ever trained--Following our older Aussie out of the dog door, and even at his tender age, hardly ever having an "accident " in the house. He never chewed up any shoes,or anything else. I guess we will never know, but I believe Lucky knew he had found his forever home. He is three years old now, and we will always love him. WE are the lucky ones...