How Lucky Added Purpose to One Woman's Life

As a large, older dog, Lucky's prospects for adoption were grim. So Lucky was truly lucky when he landed in the loving arms of a couple who adopted him from a Phoenix shelter. He must have realized just how fortunate he was and started working his magic for his new owners.

New to Atlanta, Lucky's parents were looking for a house to rent and Lucky was part of the package deal. Unfortunately, the landlord of the house they loved with lots of acreage for Lucky had a long-standing rule -- No Pets. Charming guy that he is, Lucky eventually won over the landlord, and Lucky now had lots of room to roam. Lucky's magic touch didn't stop there however.

The elderly owners of Lucky's house lived next door with their developmentally challenged daughter who could not communicate. The barriers were broken down when she saw Lucky. She started talking non-stop to Lucky, which only he may have understood, but she now had something to look forward to. She took such an interest in all things Lucky, that her home began to fill with stuffed Dalmatians, every version of the "101 Dalmatians" video, and Dalmatian figurines.

Those long, empty hours were suddenly filled, and she played endlessly with all those Lucky look-alikes when Lucky wasn't around. Lucky seemed to realize that his new playmate was special too. Normally a curmudgeon with no interest in anything except his doting parents or a treat, Lucky always makes a beeline for this special person and looks forward to his visits as much as she does. From Lucky's point of view, this is just his way of paying it forward.