To My Lucky Dog Family,

Like thousands of Americans, I feared being stuck at home alone during the pandemic. At the time of the first stay at home order in March 2020, I was still in Hawaii, splitting my time between Lucky Dog in DC and the Kauai Humane Society on the island of Kauai. With my own pets at home in California, I decided to foster a cute, 12 lb ball of fluff named Ruthie. Ruthie was everything I needed -- a loving companion, a reason to go outside for a walk, someone to talk to -- even if she couldn't talk back.

Yet, Ruthie did not come without her challenges. Severe separation anxiety being the most difficult to manage. More than one year later, and she still cannot be left on her own without medication. If I even leave her to take the trash out, all the neighbors will hear about it. She also has leash reactivity towards certain dogs -- usually those that are six times her size and weight! But, we're working through that, and she is getting much more tolerant!

Ruthie is lucky. She fell into the right home at the right time, winning my heart so completely that working through her issues is just par for the course.

Not all dogs are as lucky as Ruthie. They may have all the potential in the world to become amazing companions, but without a foster or adopter willing to help them meet that potential, they will continue in a downward spiral.

That is why Lucky Dog is looking for some HEROES to help our more challenging Lucky Dogs. These dogs have so much potential, but they need a little extra training and a little extra patience to be ready for their forever homes. Our HERO PROGRAM will help train foster parents who want to learn how to help these pups. You will get to work with Positive Dog Solutions -- and other fosters and volunteers -- to not only train our dogs but also build your own skill sets. And, it is entirely FREE! All we ask is that you commit to helping our pups in need!

Who needs a HERO right now?

Bessie - a 2 yr old, 49 lb lab who needs lots of exercise and a structured day. She has been living in daycare but needs a foster to get her ready for a forever home.

Boston -- a 4 yr old, 55 lb pit mix who is amazing with dogs off leash but reactive to dogs on leash. He does have a small animal prey drive so we don't recommend cats either. His foster can no longer keep him.

Dafney - a 1 yr old, 45 lb hound mix who is the sweetest girl to people but needs to be the only pet in the house. Her fosters are going out of town.

Jonah - a 1 yr old, 50 lb shepherd mix who is living at a vet office following his being returned. His high energy was too much for the resident senior dog, and he was chasing the cat. He needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, and he can be selectively reactive on leash.

Marlo - a 1 yr old, 45 lb aussie mix who is very high energy and can be leash reactive. She can do dog parks as long as there aren't a large number of dogs. She would thrive with a distance runner!

Montana - a 4 yr old, 63 lb lab mix who is great with dogs off leash but needs work on face to face on leash meetings. His fosters are going out of town.

Natalia - an 8 mo, 46 lb catahoula who was adopted as a puppy and not properly socialized. She needs to be the only dog in the home as she guards her person from other pets. She was recently adopted but is getting returned again.

None of these dogs are "bad" dogs. They just need someone to believe in them.

And, with overcrowding in shelters increasing through the summer, it is more important than ever before for us to find homes for the dogs in our care! That way we will have space to help even more dogs and cats in need!

Even if you can't foster, please, share their pictures and stories with your networks. I know that if we put our collective efforts together, we can find these guys fosters and adopters!!!

Thank you on behalf of all the Lucky Dogs and Cats!

Mirah Horowitz
Executive Director and Founder
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue