I was visiting the Anne Arundel SPCA for work and spotted Lucky....I inquired about him and was informed from Annette, the Coordinator/Vet Tech there, that Lucky had just arrived a few days earlier. He was an owner turn in, supposedly due to the owner being in an accident and unable to care for him. Anyway, he was a beautiful sweet dal and I thought he would be adopted very quickly! This is also a no-kill shelter and Lucky was in no danger of being "put down." I called Robbie and we put him on the radar screen. I told Annette if he doesn't get adopted soon to give me a call...We stayed in touch and about 3 weeks later she called and asked if we could take him...he had not been adopted. Unbelievable! So they neutered him for us and home he came with me. He was a doll from the start, sweet, lovable and still very much a puppy! Some housebreaking and chew-breaking issues to correct at first, but they were resolved quickly....He played and played with both my dogs and worked his way deep into all of our hearts! He not only passed the HOLLY tolerance test, but became the first foster dog that she loved to play with and actually allowed him to lick her ears and she reciprocated! This was a definite indication that Lucky was a special dog!!

Within a week, Robbie had been contacted by a Fire House, Gladwyne Fire Dept., that was interested in adopting a young male dalmatian. They had a dalmatian for many years at the firehouse that passed away a few years back. They decided it was now time to bring another Dal into their lives. Robbie and I both had major reservations...too much commotion, lots of people in and out, no training, risk of being neglected, risk of being run over or lost, just all those things that you could think that could possibly go wrong when there are multiple people responsible for a dog vs. one person or one family.

Anyway, Robbie and I both spoke with AJ and Alan from the firehouse numerous times and I reluctantly agreed to drive Lucky up there so that they could meet Lucky and I could evaluate the "Firehouse and Members" myself. I continued to have reservations and was trying to find any reason not to go....That Saturday arrived and it was pouring down rain...really bad....good reason to cancel.....However, I went...and what Luck for Lucky! A million people were there waiting to meet their potential new Dog...and the love and excitement was amazing. They had already thought of everything, training, vet, sleeping arrangements, fence vs. electric fence...etc etc. I was there for almost 2 hours meeting everyone and getting a feel for the group of people interested in adopting this wonderful dog. The environment and this new extended family was just perfect. This is a 24 hour facility that has lots of activity and people around to shower Lucky with attention! Lucky and I returned home waiting to hear their answer. They called the next day, they loved him and wanted him, however, there was some red tape they had to get through. So it took about 2 - 3 weeks for the dust to settle and the official yes to be received. This was just long enough for my husband and I to really fall in love with Mr. Lucky, actually I think the whole neighborhood loved Lucky! I don't know what was different about him vs. some of my other fosters, they are all full of love and life, but somehow Lucky just seemed to fit in as if he were supposed to be part of our family! Well the day arrived for Lucky's departure and Jon and I both tried to think of excuses...this was highly unusual for my husband. We offered to drive him up there, although they were willing to met us halfway or more to claim their special dog, but driving him up there meant more time for me to spend with Lucky! Well just as on the first day, the firehouse was completely full, standing room only. Everyone showed up for Lucky's arrival, they even put "Welcome Lucky" on their monitor with his picture... We spent some time at the Firehouse making sure Lucky felt comfortable and acclimated. He seemed to fit right in from the start. He jumped right up on the fire truck to pose with his new family. The time came for us to depart and to allow Lucky to bond with his new family!

A.J.and Alan keep me posted on Lucky's progress. He is doing spectacular. He is the love of the entire department! And it appears that his popularity has spread to the entire city of Gladwyne. Lucky is famous. The paper put a very large picture of him right on the front page with a nice write-up about him. The local restaurant chefs love to give Lucky treats as he passes by on his daily walks (one of the many daily walks!). And he is showered with love and attention from the entire Fire department and their families. He will be participating in parades and other activities that the Fire Dept. is involved in with the community. According to Alan and A.J. Lucky is just a wonderful dog, who behaves well, is great with children and is sweet and welcoming to everyone who enters the firehouse! He is the PRIDE and JOY of everyone! Alan has 2 twin young daughters, and many of the other fireman have children who really love Lucky and play with him as often as they can. He is surrounded with love and attention by all.

One thing that I always think about is that I was going to change his name when he arrived at our house. He didn't seem to respond to Lucky all that well, and I just keep thinking, how lucky can Lucky really be if he ended up at a shelter unwanted??? Well, for some reason I didn't change his name and as it turns out Lucky is the most appropriate name for him....He is lucky to be with the Gladwyne Fire Dept and they are lucky to have him, and I was lucky to have shared time with such a wonderful dog. The only other name that would suit him well would be SUNSHINE because of his ability to brighten everyone's day and life!!!