“Mama, wait! You forgot me! Please don’t go Mama! Please don’t leave me here!” Lucy Lu cried out. “Why are you leaving me?”
OH, NO! Even though Lucy Lu was an adorable, happy puppy who loved to be with people, her Mama abandoned her at an animal shelter! After a cold and scary night outside at the shelter, Lucy Lu was welcomed in by the nice lady that worked there, and she met a new dog friend that taught her how to be a good dog and get adopted. But Lucy Lu was still very afraid that she would have to live in a kennel forever… and she wouldn’t find a family to love and play with!
And then one beautiful day, finally, a happy, kind woman named Gracie visited Lucy Lu at the shelter…
Life Lessons of Lucy Lu is a beautifully illustrated dog book for kids and a great gift for any dog lover. This empowering book also teaches children to be caring of abandoned animals.
“Oh, Lucy Lu,” Gracie said. “You are perfect. You are the one. I would love to adopt you and be your new Mama. Would you like that?”
“Mama, wait! You forgot me! Please don’t go Mama! Please don’t leave me here!” Lucy Lu cried out. “Why are you leaving me?”
OH, NO! Even though Lucy Lu was an adorable, happy puppy who loved to be with people, her Mama abandoned her at an animal shelter! After a cold and scary night outside at the shelter, Lucy Lu was welcomed in by the nice lady that worked there, and she met a new dog friend that taught her how to be a good dog and get adopted. But Lucy Lu was still very afraid that she would have to live in a kennel forever… and she wouldn’t find a family to love and play with!
And then one beautiful day, finally, a happy, kind woman named Gracie visited Lucy Lu at the shelter…
Life Lessons of Lucy Lu is a beautifully illustrated dog book for kids and a great gift for any dog lover. This empowering book also teaches children to be caring of abandoned animals.
“Oh, Lucy Lu,” Gracie said. “You are perfect. You are the one. I would love to adopt you and be your new Mama. Would you like that?”
It all happened so fast. Lucy Lu was riding in the car with her mama, like they had done many times before. They pulled up to an unfamiliar building with a sign on the front that said Animal Shelter. Without a word, Lucy Lu’s mama picked her up and walked to the locked front door. She set Lucy Lu down on the doorstep, tied her leash to the door handle, and walked away. Lucy Lu looked on in disbelief as her mama got back in the car and drove off.
“Mama, wait! You forgot me! Please don’t go, Mama! I need you, Mama! Please don’t leave me here!” Lucy Lu cried out. “Why are you leaving me? I’ll be a good girl! I promise, Mama! Please don’t leave me here alone!”
According to The Zebra's website, "Every year, 6.5 million dogs, cats, and other former pets are abandoned or lost and enter shelters. But of all these animals, only 3.2 million are adopted and many see shelters again after less than a year of finding a new home." The number of euthanized pets is staggering and saddening, too. Lucy Lu is one of many dogs abandoned at a shelter. Readers never learn why the American pit bull and Staffordshire terrier mix was left tied to the shelter's doorknob. We do get a glimpse into the mind of the sweet puppy. Lucy Lu was confused, wondering why her Mama drove off without her. She pleaded for her Mama to please come back. Lucy Lu's cries made me cry. My heart broke for her.Â
Beth, the human who operates the shelter, wonders what kind of person would abandon a dog, especially one that can't be more than four months old. I wondered as well. Beth brought Lucy Lu inside, fed her, and gave her a warm place to sleep. There, Lucy met another shelter dog named Sally, a border terrier mix. Beth explains to the veteran canine guest that Lucy Lu might not be adopted immediately. Unfortunately, it's common for black mixed-breed dogs to get "overlooked." Therefore, Lucy Lu needs all the love and kindness they can offer.Â
Sally was all too familiar with being overlooked by prospective adopters. Over the years, she taught Lucy Lu to be a "good girl." She taught Lucy Lu the importance of good manners, such as not jumping on people or getting into the garbage. As Lucy Lu watched pups getting adopted over her, she questioned what was wrong with her. Why didn't anyone want her? Children in foster care often wonder the same thing. They believe there's something about themselves that makes them unwanted and unlovable. Again, just thinking anyone (with or without fur) thinks this is heartbreaking.Â
Sally and Lucy Lu did get their forever homes, but not every shelter animal is so lucky. If you are ready for the huge responsibility of owning a pet, I recommend you visit your local shelter today. Let's give our animals what they want—a forever home!Â
Lucy Lu's story touched my heart, and I know it'll touch yours too. I agree with the author's recommended reading age: ages 4 to 9.Â