“Mom said if it’s OK with you we can get a dog.”

That’s how it started. For thirteen years we had sweet Roxy. Sarah met all her promises and responsibilities – but kids go off to college and get jobs. Taking over as Roxy’s person was something I knew would happen and I was now able to really call her “my dog.” Her passing left a terrible void but …

“Daaaad, can you come walk Poppy (AKA Polpeta) while I’m at work?”

That’s how it started with Lucky Dog.

Sarah’s first Lucky Dog foster was Polpeta: a tough little Puerto Rican street dog. She had taken a week off to foster Polpeta and she was adopted in a week – but returned in days. When Sarah heard this she snatched up Polpeta from the kennel, started calling her Poppy, and started calling me.

And that’s when I started to be part of Lucky Dog. The first thing Polpeta and I did together was drive to Tennessee for the solar eclipse. She was a real champ though totally unimpressed with the totality. It was great having a little pooch around and helping it become a better citizen. After three weeks I took her to the office for her to meet her new family. As I backed out of the parking spot, there was Poppy, paws on the window sill, watching me pull away. After I composed myself around the corner I headed home. Happy/sad. Sad/happy.

“I think you should foster Ryan. He’s coming on the van Saturday.”

Saturday afternoon, September 23rd, I found myself standing like an expectant father in front of Dogma Bakery. After the van is almost completely unloaded, there’s my Ryan.

Ryan came as a scared and timid puppy. We soon realized he didn’t know how to be a dog. He didn’t know stairs. Little by little he experimented leaving his crate to explore the house. He didn’t know a leash or that was meant for a walk. All he needed was some TLC and a start on the Canine Good Citizen commands. He was with us for three months. I can still remember the feeling of “no way will he be adopted today and we can go home together” to “oh dear, Ryan is really so adoptable now someone can walk up and say I’ll take him.”

Well, one day – and it was at an event at Dogma, the same place I got him – someone did come up and say “I’ll take him” … sort of. He just had to meet a new potential buddy and if that worked the deal was done. I took him to his new home the next week on my birthday. I knew he chose a great person to adopt him but still, happy/sad; sad/happy. After I composed myself at my car I headed home.

“I knew this is on short notice.”

When I got back to my empty and quiet home, I sent photos of the adoption contract and check to Lucky Dog. In response, Samantha Machado, the foster coordinator, emailed a plea for an emergency two weeks with Hailey over Christmas and New Years. If so, this “no dogs, no cats, no kids” 60 pound Lab mix would be at the Sunday adoption event. So, on December 17, 2017, I picked up my birthday present. I knew she wasn’t good with other dogs but seeing was believing. This could be a real challenge.

How did two weeks turn into almost two years? It wasn’t a challenge for Hailey. She moved right in enjoying chasing birds, squirrels and tennis balls in the backyard, following me around the house, and cuddling up to watch tv. It turns out, Hailey is a loving and affectionate dog. She is extremely smart, obedient, and eager to please. She is playful, curious, and confident. But when it’s time to stop playing I ask her to go lie down, and she goes and lies down.

Hailey is great in a car and comes along when possible. Around town she hops into the car without a fuss and waits until I take her leash before jumping out. She doesn’t bark at others outside the car and waits patiently when I leave her for a bit. We’ve done a bunch of road trips to visit friends in NY, getting as far as Niagara Falls. When I go out on my own Hailey either senses it or a simple “go to your crate” has her calmly walking inside to await her crate treat.

I call Hailey my 95% wonderful dog. She still has other dog issues and may never go to a dog park but she has come a long way. We have worked diligently on the Canine Good Citizen commands, honing her sit, down, and stay, plus the walking routine of heel, halt, come, stay, and finish up.

The most important command we continue to work on is “quiet.” By checking her body language a quick “quiet.” Treat, and a “good girl” has been very effective to diffuse and distract. Her progress has been spectacular. She has become relaxed around other dogs to the point where she will greet with a sniff and want to play … and depending on the situation she can play on leash.

Hailey is a wonderful easy dog to have around and has made my life a joy. People always ask me why I don’t just keep her. I try to convince myself that I learned so much from her that I should pass on whatever skills I acquired in helping another dog and that as long as it’s as good as or better I’d be good with that … sort of. Happy/sad. Sad/happy.