Luck. Plenty of dogs never get it. Yet it matters so much, sometimes more than anything, for their future.
Lucky, a Labrador Retriever pulled from a high-euthanasia shelter and brought to AGWC Rockin’ Rescue Animal Adoption Center in California, is one of those pups who simply has not walked a “lucky” path.
Because of serious neglect by a former owner, Lucky’s journey veered into hardship, and he has been working to heal ever since. To date, this boy has spent nearly 1,500 days at the rescue, waiting for that long-awaited chance at joy.
A “Lucky” Tale That Didn’t Live Up To Its Name
When volunteers at AGWC Rockin’ Rescue first met Lucky, none of them imagined he would become one of their longest-staying residents.
Neglect left its mark, and Lucky was no longer seen as easy “adoption material.”
The reason?
Every person before had let him down.
“Lucky was purchased as a puppy from a breeder. But instead of growing up in a safe, loving home, he was abandoned at a dog training facility when his owner no longer wanted him. Things only got worse from there,” the California rescue stated on its website.
After being left behind, his next owner, a dog trainer, physically abused him for years. The trauma created a reactive dog with a bite history, and Lucky ultimately landed in a high-euthanasia shelter in California.
Rather than letting his story end there, the team at AGWC Rockin’ Rescue stepped in. They transferred him to their center, and he has been on a careful path of recovery ever since.
In a recent TikTok, the rescue shared a clip of Lucky and explained that he would soon hit the 1,500-day mark at the shelter. Because of his past, many visitors simply walk by, assuming he is not the picture of an easy family companion.
Lucky has trained for months and needs an experienced adopter and a home without small children.
Aside from that, he is a pup with so much to offer.
Still Hoping For His Break
One thing is clear. So many days in a kennel have taken a toll. His caregivers keep his mind and body engaged, but the grind of waiting is slowly pushing Lucky toward a shut-down, low-spirited state.
Deep down, he surely knows there is life outside his run, and he is quietly pleading for a chance to live it.
Thanks to steady support, he is now a different dog who is ready to share and accept love.
“Today, he’s a completely different dog. He enjoys slow walks, quiet moments, and spending time with the volunteers he knows and trusts. He’s kind, responsive, and incredibly loyal once a bond is built,” the rescue concludes.
In the right setting, Lucky’s favorite things are unhurried walks, a good game of fetch, and hanging out with his people.
He also thrives with enrichment toys and staying engaged, which could make him a wonderful match for an active household. He learns fast, aims to please, and would love to spend his days exploring and being part of a family.
With a little attention, his story could finally reach the ears and hearts that need to hear it. He truly deserves that moment.