Little did Barbara Maynard realize how her life would change the day she found the little rain-soaked dog running in the middle of US 301 in Ellenton.  It was the fall of 2000 and she scooped up the long haired Chihuahua mix and brought him home, hoping to reunite him with his owners. She dutifully called the number on his tags, only to find out his owners could no longer care for the frisky pup and told her she could keep him.

The next months were filled with vet visits, because as Barbara found out, little Lucky (as he was so aptly named) had heartworms and was also having seizures. Many thousands of dollars later, as Barbara and her husband Bill nursed him through this tough time, they wondered what his fate would have been if they hadn't rescued him.

But Lucky knew he had found his forever home, and he recovered from his ordeal to become Barbara's faithful companion. Then he repaid her kindness in a way she never imagined. During 2004 when Hurricane Jeanne was about to bear down on the area  Barbara picked up Lucky to place him in the car as they were going to a shelter. He kept pawing at a spot under Barbara's breast. He knew something wasn't right, and sure enough there was a lump.

It turned out the lump was Stage 2 breast cancer, and it was in a spot that her latest mammogram had not caught. Barbara had surgery, chemo and radiation and Lucky was there through it all, cuddling and giving her the sweet kisses that come from a pup's love. Barbara has been cancer free for 6 years now and she is convinced that if Lucky hadn't found that lump when he did things might have been very different for her. She says she is the "lucky" one.

Sadly, in late February 2010, Lucky passed away in Barbara's arms as she held him one last time.

Barbara asked us to post Lucky's story to make people aware that animals often have senses that defy human logic. Rescued animals in particular seem to be especially intuitive to the people who saved their lives, as if they know how "lucky" they are to have found a loving home.

Barbara has also asked that donations be made to the Humane Society of Manatee County in memory of her best friend Lucky. Your donation could change the life of another dog or cat and may save your own life, just ask Barbara and Lucky!