Lucky!

Lucky never sit still for a good photo.  This is the best one I ever got.

 He was born on Travis Air Force Base and was part of a litter being sold by an airman about to transfer out.  Nick wanted a puppy and Wayne wanted one that would grow into a big dog.  I did some research and found that Labs were the number one dogs in families with children.  So they went and picked him out.  He was sweet, but very much a puppy and went through his terrible two stage ripping out the sprinkler system.  He once ate a stake put out for ants.  He was always into something.  He had papers, but we never registered him.  He had a long run area in the yard and for many years Wayne took him to an open field to run everyday.  Then the city put up a fence and took away access to the field.  He had loved to go run in that open field.  Wayne recalls one day when Lucky just wouldn't wait for the tailgate to be opened, and jumped over it.  Not a good landing :) Once when we were on vacation he stayed at a kennel where the owner was a bird hunter and bird dog trainer.  He spent some time trying to see if Lucky would retrieve.  Lucky said "Nah, I don't think so". :)  One year the neighbor painted his house and Lucky went over and scratched a spot in the fresh paint.  We apologized and the neighbor fixed the paint.  Lucky went and scratched it again. :) Over the years he and the neighbor became buddies and the neighbor let him out each day during the time that we stayed at the hospital with Nick.  As he got older and lacked the opportunity to exercise he started to slow down and had arthritic joints.  Many times within the last year we had to adjust his diet.  He had some nervous issues. Something about linoleum and tile he just didn't trust.  He refused to step on it.  :)  So quiet downstairs.  He was always in the garage when Wayne went out there every night.  I fed him every evening and he would hit my legs with his tail and ate it up as I talked baby talk to him.  He was the only one here who loved that. :)  I've had dogs all of my life.  Without a doubt, Lucky was the sweetest one.   

Here Lucky is enjoying his new orthopedic bed

                                   

                          Lucky Holyfield passed away on Wednesday, March 18th.  He was 14 1/2.  We were the lucky ones.


                 http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/breedinformation/sporting/labdoret.html