Saturday, May 12, 2007
Lucca's Year
A year ago today, Lucca arrived at the East Bay SPCA, and I am told that he didn't make a sound during his intake test. Soon after, Lucca debuted his lovely houndish bay, and he's been in fine voice ever since.Lucca bays when he is excited. For a shelter dog, nothing is as exciting as getting out of his kennel for a walk, so Lucca starts each outing with a woooo woooooo WOOOOOO. Lucca also bays at cats and squirrels and potential sources of food. When his leash broke and he got loose at our Oakland shelter, he ran down the street and was found baying at the deli counter of a nearby supermarket.
Lucca has also had quiet moments over the past year. He is mostly quiet when he plays with other dogs, and his friendly and adaptable play style helps him fit in with almost any group. Lucca has played with dozens of shelter dogs, helping to exercise them, relieve stress, and teach them valuable social skills. Many of Lucca's playmates have been adopted, while Lucca still waits for a home.
Lucca was quiet when he helped me demonstrate clicker training to some of our volunteers. In fact, he was the perfect dog to show how with a clicker and some treats, you can turn a barking, distracted dog into a quiet, focused dog in just a few moments.
Lucca is quiet when he's working with his trainer, and has learned many things over the past year. He can sit, lie down, and shake. He's got a rock solid stay. He can walk by a tempting treat without touching it, or find a treat that's been carefully hidden.
Lucca was very quiet when I took him on a field trip one afternoon. He rode in the car like a pro, he made an excellent hiking buddy, and he was a perfect gentleman when we stopped at a coffee shop afterwards.
I don't know what the next year will bring for Lucca, but I have to believe that his adoption day is coming soon. Until that day, we will continue to take very good care of him. Lucca has healthful food, a warm bed, and veterinary care as needed. He gets toys, attention, and play time with other dogs. Volunteers take him for walks, and his trainer keeps his mind occupied. But at the end of the day, staff and volunteers go home, while Lucca and the other dogs stay at the shelter, waiting
Lucca's a good dog, and it's time for him to go home.
May 27 - UPDATE: Eight days after this blog was posted, Lucca went home on a trial adoption and joined a herd of goats, horses, parrots, and even some cats! Today his new family came in and finalized his adoption, just over a year after he was first surrendered. We hope to add Lucca's story to our happy endings page sometime soon!
