Available - Lucy

My story

Socialization/training: Lucy is experiencing life indoors for the very first time, after spending most (or all) of her life in an outdoor pen. Despite this big transition, she’s adjusting beautifully and showing her sweet nature every day. She’s already made a wonderful impression at the veterinary clinic, where staff described her as very friendly and cooperative. Lucy thrives in a calm environment. While she’s unsure around energetic children, she would do well in a home with older, quieter kids who can help her feel safe and relaxed. She may be happiest as the only dog, soaking up all the love and attention, but could also share her home with a calm, respectful canine companion. Her feelings about cats are unknown. House training is a work in progress — understandably so, since the concept of "going outside" is all new to her. But she’s catching on, and the fact that she keeps her crate clean is a great sign of progress and potential. Lucy is a kind-hearted girl with a lot of love to give. With a little patience and a lot of affection, she’ll blossom in a home where she can finally feel safe, cherished, and truly at home. She’ll be happiest with calm, older children who can match her gentle energy and respect her space. Lucy loves her creature comforts and will absolutely appreciate a soft bed (or two!) to call her own. When it comes to canine companions, Lucy has a strong personality and does best with low-key, respectful dogs. She would also be perfectly content as the only dog in the home, soaking up all the love and attention. Crate trained: Lucy is very comfortable in her crate and often chooses to rest there on her own throughout the day. She is currently crated when unsupervised and has done well for periods of up to four hours without any issues. At night, she sleeps quietly in her crate and settles in with ease. Her calm and content demeanor in the crate reflects her adaptability and sense of security in her environment. Leash trained: Lucy appears to have had little to no prior leash training. She tends to start her walks with enthusiasm and pulls at first, but quickly settles into a calm and manageable pace. An 8-year-old is able to walk her with ease. With continued practice and positive reinforcement, she is likely to become a well-mannered walking companion. Activity Level:  Don’t Let Her Age Fool You – Lucy’s Still Got Plenty of Spark! At 12 years old, Lucy has a wonderful zest for life and an impressive amount of energy. She absolutely loves exploring the outdoors—running through the woods, splashing in ponds, and soaking up every adventure. While she enjoys her nap breaks throughout the day, she’s always ready to jump back into action when the opportunity arises. One of Lucy’s favorite pastimes is quietly “hunting” near bird feeders, keeping a watchful eye out for squirrels and curious birds. Her strong hunting instincts are still very much intact, and with the right partner, she might make a capable companion for light hunting outings. Fence: A physical fence is recommended because of the hunting instincts. Her foster home’s 4-foot fencing has contained her without incident. Lucy will thrive in a home that offers her the freedom to stretch her legs with regular off-leash playtime in a secure area. A physically fenced yard is strongly recommended, as her natural hunting instincts are still quite sharp and she’s always ready to follow an interesting scent. Behavior: Lucy enjoys attention from people, though she doesn’t seem to expect much—it's as if she's still learning that affection can be a regular part of life. Whatever interactions she had in her previous home were likely kind, but perhaps infrequent. That said, she’s gentle and trusting, and her sweet personality shines more each day. She’s starting to explore play, occasionally pouncing on a tennis ball with curiosity and enthusiasm—even if she hasn’t quite figured out the “bring it back” part yet. When brushed for the first time, she looked genuinely surprised, as though it was a completely new experience, but one she was willing to enjoy. Lucy also loves car rides and settles in calmly for the journey, taking in the sights with quiet contentment. In her forever home, she’ll thrive with a family who makes her feel truly special. She may be low-key, but she’s ready to be the center of someone’s world—and she absolutely deserves it. Medical History: When Lucy first came into rescue, there was no indication that she had been spayed. Given that older, unspayed females are at a higher risk for life-threatening conditions like pyometra, the rescue team made the decision to spay her as a precaution. However, during the surgery, it was discovered that Lucy had indeed been spayed previously. While the spay surgery wasn’t necessary, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. During the procedure, the veterinary team discovered that Lucy’s spleen appeared diseased and that she had several foreign objects in her stomach that she was unable to pass. These findings may have gone unnoticed without the surgery, and in the end, it may have saved her life. Lucy is now recovering well and has not let the surgery slow her down. Though she’s thin, her appetite is improving every day. She does have some slight arthritis in her back legs, but she still runs energetically and moves up and down stairs with ease. At this time, no medication other than a joint supplement is deemed necessary. Lucy is microchipped, up to date on all vaccinations, and is on heartworm prevention. Foster Comments: Lucy has been with us for about five weeks now, and in that short time, she’s begun to discover what it means to be loved and safe. Based on her behavior and background, we believe Lucy spent most of her life as an outdoor kennel dog, likely used for hunting. When she slowed down with age, she and her companion were sadly brought to a shelter to be euthanized. Thankfully, the shelter reached out for help — and that’s when rescue stepped in. At A&B Rescue, we believe every dog, no matter their age, deserves comfort, dignity, and love. Lucy and her friend were given a second chance, and while her companion has since been adopted, now it’s Lucy’s turn to find a forever home. Life is very different for her now than it was during her first 12 years. She’s discovering soft beds, warm hands, and the kindness of people who care. Lucy’s ideal home will have space for her to stretch her legs outside, but also offer cozy spots indoors where she can rest and feel secure. She’d do well as an only dog, or with a calm, easygoing canine friend. Her perfect match will be someone patient and loving, ready to gently guide her as she learns the rhythms of indoor family life. Lucy may be a little older, but she’s full of heart and has so much love left to give. Let’s make sure her golden years are the best ones yet — filled with joy, peace, and the family she’s always deserved. Foster Location: Waynesboro, VA Volunteer transport can be arranged in the Continental US within a 1,000-mile distance between adopters & foster home. If interstate transport is provided for your adopted dog, there will be an additional charge of $75.00 for the required Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.  Typically, we are able to transport your adopted dog to within 2 hours of your home. *Dogs can be adopted outside the 1000-mile transport distance; however, adopters must be willing to either fly their adopted dog, drive to a location within the 1000-mile transport range, or make independent transport arrangements for their adopted dog. Transports to far Western states, from Eastern states, may have additional restrictions. ##2361007##

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Available - Lucy, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.