When a little pup named Lucky Charm arrived at the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, she was just five months old—wide-eyed, eager, and ready to explore the world.
From the very beginning, she captured the hearts of everyone around her.
Staff members couldn’t help but smile when she bounced up to greet them, and volunteers often described her as a spark of joy in the middle of their busy days.
A Puppy Full of Energy Waiting for Her Forever Home
Her boundless energy made her unforgettable. Lucky is the kind of dog who never stops wagging her tail, who can turn an empty room into a playground, and who can make even the most tired volunteer laugh.
For her, every toy is a treasure and every moment an opportunity for fun. “She’s always ready to play,” shared longtime volunteer Julie Saraceno. “Toys are her favorite thing in the world.”
Yet, as much as Lucky lights up the shelter, her days there have been harder than most people realize.
Puppies usually get adopted quickly, but for Lucky, time has dragged on. Weeks in a kennel feel like an eternity to a dog who craves movement, love, and the chance to explore.
“High-energy dogs like her really struggle here,” Julie admitted softly. “It’s tough watching her excitement dim when she has to return to her kennel.”
For a pup so young, every extra day in the shelter is a reminder of what she’s missing—running in the yard, playing with children, or curling up beside someone at night.
What she needs most is a family who sees not just her energy, but also the sweetness behind it.
A Taste of Freedom Brings Pure Joy
Wanting to give Lucky something beyond the shelter walls, Julie decided to take her out for a much-needed break.
The moment the car door opened, Lucky leapt inside with bright eyes and an eager wag. It was as though she instantly knew this ride meant freedom, even if just for an afternoon.
Her head bobbed in the wind as the world blurred past, and her joyful expression was enough to bring tears to Julie’s eyes.
That day, Lucky also experienced something entirely new: her very first pup cup. The tiny treat may have looked simple, but to Lucky, it was a discovery filled with delight.
She licked every bit of whipped cream as if savoring the best meal she’d ever had.
Watching her enjoy that moment reminded Julie how much puppies like Lucky miss while waiting in shelters. “I don’t think she had ever had one before,” Julie said. “She ate it like it was pure magic.”
Soon after, Lucky’s story seemed to take a wonderful turn. A family came to the shelter and instantly fell in love with her bright spirit.
They decided to give her a home, and the volunteers couldn’t have been happier. Lucky’s reaction said it all—she ran toward the doors with uncontainable excitement, as if she knew she was finally heading to the life she deserved.
That moment felt like a victory for everyone who had cared for her, a chance to finally see their beloved pup step into a future filled with love.
But just one week later, the happy ending dissolved. The same family returned to the shelter with Lucky in tow, explaining that her endless energy was more than they could manage.
The news broke the volunteers’ hearts. Julie remembered the lump in her throat as she watched Lucky walk back into her kennel, not understanding why her freedom had been cut short. “It was really painful,” she confessed.
“We were so excited for her, but sometimes things just don’t work out.”
Even so, Lucky hasn’t lost her sparkle. She continues to greet everyone with wiggles and kisses, as if holding onto hope that her real family is still out there.
The time she spent outside may have been short, but it showed her what life could feel like—and now she seems more determined than ever to find her place.
What she needs is a person with patience, someone who understands that a puppy’s boundless energy is not a flaw but a gift waiting to be shaped.
Julie and the other volunteers believe Lucky is destined to become an incredible companion in the right home. “She loves people, and she gets along wonderfully with other dogs,” Julie explained. “She just needs guidance, someone willing to help her learn.”
With training, structure, and consistency, Lucky could flourish into the loyal, well-behaved family dog she was born to be.
Lucky Finds Her Forever
For a short time, there was heartbreak. The family who had adopted Lucky soon realized her energy was more than they could manage and returned her to the shelter.
Watching her walk back into her kennel left the volunteers crushed, though they were grateful she had at least enjoyed some freedom.
But Lucky never gave up. She continued to greet each day with her joyful spirit, and she never stopped believing that someone special was out there for her.
That hope finally paid off. Not long after her return, another family came to meet her. This time it was different.
They saw her playful energy not as a burden but as a gift. They understood that with patience and guidance, she could blossom into the perfect companion.
When they signed the papers and took her home, the entire shelter celebrated. Volunteers cried happy tears as they watched Lucky walk out the doors one final time, her tail wagging furiously as she headed toward her new life.
Now Lucky spends her days exactly as she always dreamed—playing, running, cuddling, and showering her new family with love. Her kennel is empty, her story complete, and her heart finally at peace
