When a 5-month-old puppy named Lucky Charm arrived at the Benton-Franklin Humane Society in early July, it didn’t take long for everyone there to fall for her.
“She is super playful,” volunteer Julie Saraceno told The Dodo. “She’s obsessed with toys.”
Lucky’s name suited her cheerful spirit — she was full of life, wagging her tail at anyone who passed by her kennel. But as the weeks went by, no one came to take her home. For such a young pup, the shelter felt like a lonely, noisy place.
“I think it’s especially hard for puppies when they land in the shelter, just because they’re so high-energy,” Saraceno said. “It’s so sad to see her stuck in a kennel all day.”
To give Lucky a break from shelter life, Saraceno decided to take her on a small adventure. They went for a car ride, and Lucky’s eyes lit up at every passing sight. Then came the best part — her very first pup cup.
“She loved it,” Saraceno said, smiling. “She probably never had one before.”
Not long after, a family came to meet Lucky — and instantly fell in love. When they decided to adopt her, Lucky could barely contain her excitement. She sprinted toward the front doors, her tail wagging so fast it was a blur.
“I was so excited that she was finally going to have her own family,” Saraceno said.
But just one week later, the phone rang. Lucky was coming back.
Her adopters said she was “a little too much” for their household — too energetic, too spirited.
“It broke our hearts,” Saraceno said softly. “It’s good that she got a break from the shelter, but it still doesn’t make me any less sad.”
Now, Lucky is back where she started — still wagging her tail, still hopeful. The shelter team knows that somewhere out there is a family who will understand her energy, guide her with patience, and finally give her the forever home she deserves.
“She loves people,” Saraceno said. “She loves other dogs. With the right guidance, she’d be the perfect family dog.”
Lucky’s still waiting — and she hasn’t given up hope that her true forever family will come sprinting toward her next time.
If you're interested in adopting Lucky, you can check out her adoption profile here.
