Lucky

LUCKY – Available for Adoption<br/><br/>1-year-old Black Labrador Retriever Mix • Neutered Male • ~65 lbs<br/><br/>History: <br/>Originally surrendered to Contra Costa County Shelter in April; adopted out, then returned to the shelter system.<br/><br/>Current Status: <br/>In foster care for 2 weeks and making excellent progress.<br/>Good With: Friendly, confident dogs; respectful teens; likely good with kids and cats.<br/><br/>Needs: Patient home, slow introductions, structure, decompression, confidence building, positive reinforcement, and another playful dog is strongly preferred.<br/><br/>Videos:<br/>Lucky building Trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyGpVURtiRs<br/><br/>Lucky being brave; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWp3RgBz6I<br/><br/>Lucky on leash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoKTqRaUs1k&feature=youtu.be<br/><br/>Lucky playing with new human friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTcJlYapFI<br/><br/>Lucky playing with a dog friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsypmItZwdw&feature=youtu.be<br/><br/>ABOUT LUCKY<br/>Lucky is a gentle, sensitive young Lab mix who arrived anxious, confused, and unsure of the world — but in just two weeks with his foster, he has shown incredible growth. He is a sweet, misunderstood boy who desperately wants to bond with his people and feel safe. Once he trusts you, Lucky is affectionate, cuddly, and loyal.<br/><br/>Lucky is still very much a puppy who missed out on stable early-life routines. He needs patient adopters who will help him continue building confidence and skills at a slow, steady pace.<br/><br/>WHAT LUCKY’S RESCUE REP SAYS<br/>Lucky is a dog who will absolutely flourish in the right home, but he is not a turnkey, “easy” puppy. He needs structure, predictability, and adults or families willing to guide him gently as he learns.<br/><br/>Ideal Home Requirements:<br/>A patient, committed family who understands decompression and slow introductions<br/><br/>A calm home environment with consistent routines<br/><br/>A fenced yard for exercise, potty training, and decompressing<br/><br/>A family that allows dogs on furniture — Lucky is a couch snuggler through and through<br/><br/>A playful, confident resident dog who can model behavior and help him learn the ropes<br/><br/>Kids are OK if they are gentle and patient; Lucky enjoys calm, kind interactions<br/><br/>Cats likely OK — Lucky shows no prey drive<br/><br/>A home that uses positive reinforcement training (he loves cheese and turkey!)<br/>Short, slow walks at first, gradually increasing as his anxiety improves<br/>Lucky is highly moldable. With the right family, he will blossom into an extraordinary adult dog — one who is loyal, affectionate, and deeply connected to his people.<br/><br/>BEHAVIOR & PROGRESS IN FOSTER CARE<br/><br/>Potty Training:<br/>Lucky came into foster with very little house-training experience. With routine, structure, and supervision, he has made significant progress in just two weeks. When the family is home, Lucky stays on a long lead or nearby, and—after consistent work—he now enjoys full days off leash inside with frequent potty breaks.<br/><br/>Anxiety & Medication:<br/>Lucky is an anxious boy and may need trazodone as he transitions to a new home.<br/><br/>Initial settling dose may be 100–150 mg<br/>Once he knows you and your routine, 50 mg is typically sufficient<br/>Lucky is not highly food-driven but responds well to cheese and turkey, which are great for training and bonding.<br/><br/>Crate Training:<br/>He loves his crate and uses it as a safe, cozy spot. After a couple days of initial howling, he adapted beautifully and now willingly goes in when he needs comfort or downtime.<br/><br/>Play & Social Skills:<br/>Lucky thrives with other dogs. He enjoys wrestling, tug of war, and gentle play. A doggy sibling will help him continue maturing socially and emotionally.<br/><br/>Lucky has endured instability, fear, and confusion — but despite it all, he remains gentle, affectionate, and eager to trust. He is young, impressionable, and absolutely worth the investment. With time and patience, Lucky will reward his adopters with unwavering loyalty and love.<br/><br/>WHAT LUCKY’S FOSTER SAYS<br/>Lucky is a misunderstood pup who just wants to be loved. The amount of confidence we’ve seen come out of him in only two weeks has been remarkable. Potty training was a big challenge at first, but he has made huge strides. He truly wants to learn. He is anxious, but once he understands your home and your routine, he settles beautifully. He just needs slow, patient socialization. <br/><br/>Lucky loves his crate, loves the couch, and loves his people. If you’re not a furniture-friendly home, he’s probably not the boy for you. Another confident, playful dog would be incredibly helpful for him. I also think he’d do great with kids or even cats. I cannot tell you how much I have fallen in love with him. He is going to be the BEST dog for someone willing to put in the work and give him the forever home he deserves. Give him a month or two, and he will be nearly perfect — a sweet, snuggly, amazing companion.<br/><br/>Medical:<br/>Lucky is currently on trazodone, neutered and in perfect health.<br/><br/>Lucky is located in San Francisco. <br/><br/>Please email Lucky’s rescue rep, Marie Ross, first with WHY you feel you would be the best fitting home at mariedross@att.net and please include your phone number.

LUCKY – Available for Adoption

1-year-old Black Labrador Retriever Mix • Neutered Male • ~65 lbs

History:
Originally surrendered to Contra Costa County Shelter in April; adopted out, then returned to the shelter system.

Current Status:
In foster care for 2 weeks and making excellent progress.
Good With: Friendly, confident dogs; respectful teens; likely good with kids and cats.

Needs: Patient home, slow introductions, structure, decompression, confidence building, positive reinforcement, and another playful dog is strongly preferred.

Videos:
Lucky building Trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyGpVURtiRs

Lucky being brave; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWp3RgBz6I

Lucky on leash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoKTqRaUs1k&feature=youtu.be

Lucky playing with new human friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTcJlYapFI

Lucky playing with a dog friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsypmItZwdw&feature=youtu.be

LUCKY – Available for Adoption

1-year-old Black Labrador Retriever Mix • Neutered Male • ~65 lbs

History:
Originally surrendered to Contra Costa County Shelter in April; adopted out, then returned to the shelter system.

Current Status:
In foster care for 2 weeks and making excellent progress.
Good With: Friendly, confident dogs; respectful teens; likely good with kids and cats.

Needs: Patient home, slow introductions, structure, decompression, confidence building, positive reinforcement, and another playful dog is strongly preferred.

Videos:
Lucky building Trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyGpVURtiRs

Lucky being brave; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWp3RgBz6I

Lucky on leash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoKTqRaUs1k&feature=youtu.be

Lucky playing with new human friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmTcJlYapFI

Lucky playing with a dog friend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsypmItZwdw&feature=youtu.be

ABOUT LUCKY
Lucky is a gentle, sensitive young Lab mix who arrived anxious, confused, and unsure of the world — but in just two weeks with his foster, he has shown incredible growth. He is a sweet, misunderstood boy who desperately wants to bond with his people and feel safe. Once he trusts you, Lucky is affectionate, cuddly, and loyal.

Lucky is still very much a puppy who missed ou