My name is Lucy!
Hello, future friends and family! I am a puppy on a mission: I’ll be arriving in Chicago from India on November 7th to find true and trusty love! I’m wiggling with excitement thinking of all the good things that lie ahead! Here is the story of my rescue and of the beginning of my bright and shiny new life:
A month ago, an animal advocate named Isobel was driving out to the local Gaushala, a Hindu cow sanctuary, to check on a calf that had recently been rescued and brought to the shelter. The last time Isobel had driven out this way, there had been many dogs along the road. This time, she didn’t see any, except for one tiny, little puppy…me!
A family living in a hut near the Gaushala told Isobel my tragic tale. They said I wasn’t doing well, having lost my mother and witnessed the deaths of my littermates at the hands of a guard who saw no value in our lives. The other dogs were all gone too. When the violence was over, I was the only one left. I felt so lonely and scared. Isobel asked the family to keep me safe overnight, and promised to come back for me the next day. When Isobel returned in the morning, we were off!
Our first stop was at the office of Dr Premlata Choudhary, a wonderful veterinarian who spoke to me sweetly and told me I would be all right, She gave me a full check up and deworming, along with all of my necessary vaccinations. Isobel and Dr. Choudhary took another good look at me and decided I looked like a Lucy, and that’s how I got my American name! I was promptly placed in foster care while my human friends tried to find me a forever home. One special day, I found out that my new home wouldn’t be down the lane or in the next neighborhood over, but halfway around the world in the American Midwest!
I don’t even try to understand all that has happened to me. I’m just a puppy, with all the usual puppy stuff ahead of me to learn, but all I can think about now, is how excited i’ll be to find out who I’ll get to love and who loves Lucy! I’m a very friendly pup, and like everyone I meet, children and other dogs included! I hear that a life of tasty food, romps in the fresh air, soft beds, toys, and lots of belly rubs lies ahead of me. Maybe you do too!
Desi (day-see) —or Indian—dogs live on the city and village streets of India. There are an estimated 260,000 street dogs just in the capital, New Delhi. Most dogs in India are Indian Native Dogs, sometimes called pariah dogs; these incredible animals are highly intelligent and alert, good-looking, athletic, adaptable, and full of character–they are dogs as dogs have been for thousands of years! In urban areas the Desi dogs often have European breeds in their recent ancestry too. Dogs in India face many challenges: extreme weather (damp, chilly winters, 115-degree summers, and monsoon floods), chaotic traffic, disease, and violence from people and other street dogs. Some community dogs are sterilized, vaccinated, and fed by volunteers, but most street dogs experience indifferent cultural attitudes and survive on their own efforts and luck. Litters of puppies often meet tragic and inhumane ends. Most people are unaware of animal sterilization and vaccination, and if they are, many cite religious beliefs against spaying/neutering. And in cities, there is major cultural interest in the supposed superiority of European “purebred” dogs. Unfortunately, purchased Labs, pugs, Dobermans, St. Bernards, boxers, and German shepherds are frequently abandoned as many families do not have the funds, space, and knowledge about responsible long-term dog ownership.
If you are interested in adopting LUCY, you can fill out and submit an adoption application here and call Dawn at 414-426-4148. You must be approved for adoption prior to scheduling a meet and greet.
Rescuer: Isobel Grant
Arrival: November 07, 2017
Estimated Adult Weight: 30-45 lbs