In 2002, I made the decision to adopt a dog. I was already so happy with my rescued cat, Zacky, that I wanted to expand my little ‘family’. I remembered how fun it was playing with my dogs growing up, and the excursions and adventures we’d get into! My dogs were my best friends, and I wanted that again.

I’m a firm believer in animal rescues, so when the time came for me to get a dog, I went the rescue-route and found Lucy Goo. She was estimated to be between 6-12 months old, and a ‘terrier mix’. (I personally thought Lucy looked kind of like a Golden Doodle and a terrier, so I called her my ‘Goldendoodlerrier’.) Whatever Lucy was, though, didn’t matter..she melted my heart the instant I met her; she was my canine soul mate.

Lucy Goo had been a neglected dog and was skittish of certain things, such as loud noises and sudden movements. She was extremely skinny, had fur missing, and the fur that was there was terribly matted. She was a colossal mess! But that didn’t stop me from falling in love with her the minute I saw her. The energy that Lucy put out was amazingly sweet; she was one of the most awesome dogs I had the honor of meeting and I knew I just had to be her mommy! However, the rescue had not spayed her yet, so I was instructed to pick her up the next day. I went home Lucyless, and extremely eager for the next 24 hours to pass.

That afternoon, I received a phone call from the rescue. They did blood work on her, which is mandatory before performing the surgery to be spayed, and found that she had heartworms. They told me that they would normally euthanize a dog under those circumstances, however, since I had already adopted Lucy, they could not do anything without my permission. The woman I spoke with on the phone tried to persuade me to have Lucy put down. She said that it would be the best thing to do. My response to this was a resounding ‘NO’! I told her to go ahead with the surgery; I would pick Lucy up afterward, and find a solution.

The next morning I got on the phone and called my vet. Then, I called the vets my parents use for their pets, and, for good measure, I called the vet a friend of mine used. All of them gave me the same answer…there was no reason to put Lucy down. Lucy’s heartworms were indeed treatable, and she could be cured. I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, crying with relief.

The next day, I picked up my Lucy Goo. Her eyes were glowing, and it looked like she was smiling at me; I felt so blessed. I took her home, let her spend some days resting and recovering from the surgery, then we were off to the vet to start up her treatments. The treatments were hard on her, but her spirits were always so high. Then, after some time, Lucy’s fur started growing back in full and glossy, and she started gaining weight. She looked like a whole new healthy, fluffy dog!  We had so many great adventures together… from our walks by the bayou, to our boating adventures and road trips. Lucy Goo was there for me through the saddest times of my life to the happiest of times. She was such a special part of my life, I decided to name my business after her; Lucy Goo Pet Sitting is her legacy.

I hope you can use this true story as an inspiration. If you decide that you’d like a pet, please try going the rescue route, and adopt one. And remember, the puppies and kittens are the first to be chosen. Take a walk over to the section where the full-grown dogs and cats are kept. They may seem skittish at first, but all they need is love. Once they are given the love and attention they so desperately need and deserve, you’ll not only have a friend but a new family member. You can save a pet’s life…one just like Lucy Goo. 

Lucy Goo crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Oct. 13 2016

– Nicole Bruder Gillis

You can save a pet’s life, one just like Lucy Goo!