Let’s Talk About Lucy

A lovable redhead named Lucy does anything to escape going to see the doctor, runs away with the entire town in pursuit, and is finally lured back to the doctor’s office by a gourmet steak dinner. Sounds like the plot of the 1950s classic sitcom “I Love Lucy,” right? Except that the star of this story is a red standard poodle and the “doctor’s office” is North Street Veterinary Clinic. 

A Nacogdoches resident adopted Lucy from Tyler, Texas on August 29.  She took Lucy to North Street Veterinary Clinic as they returned home, but Lucy had other plans.  Rather than see the vet for an initial check-up, the dog bolted across North Street as the new owner tried to enter the clinic.  Lucy’s new owners could not immediately recapture her and later, Lucy was sighted by someone in the Walmart parking lot, dragging the leash attached to her collar and wearing a bandana around her neck.

“There’s a brown golden doodle walking on Stallings by the Walmart. Has a collar but wasn’t able to pull over. Do your thing Nac and help the owner get him back,” one of the earliest posts in the Facebook group, “Nacogdoches Talk,” dated Friday, August 30 said.  More and more posts about Lucy began to pop up on the social media website as the new owner was frantically searching for the skittish pup. 

Multiple comments on this post showed that the Facebook group members took the call to action to heart and soon many residents were helping look for Lucy.  

Unable to capture Lucy and bring her to safety the day she escaped, the new owner began to rely on Facebook posts noting Lucy’s whereabouts. The dog kept to the loop, hiding during the day and walking in the evening. Other sightings placed Lucy at Stallings Drive and Starr Avenue, and several days later at the intersection of State Highway 7 and Northeast Stallings Drive. 

Early in the search for Lucy, the non-profit organization NacFoster Rescue became involved, with founding member and NHS Alumna, Kelly Floyd, assisting in the search efforts and organizing searchers on social media via a new Facebook Group, “Help Rescue Lucy.”

“It became apparent that so many people wanted to help find Lucy,” Floyd said. “We had ranchers offering to bring their expensive working dogs out to help find her, offering other services. So many members of the community came together to try to help Lucy.”

While well-meaning, the growing number of unfamiliar people chasing Lucy worsened the situation. As the search for Lucy continued, Floyd implored the public not to pursue the scared dog via a Facebook post in the group on September 2.

“To those looking for Lucy: if you are not on the text group, please go home. She will not come to a crowd, noise, or if you are even standing there. ..Everyone is trying to help but it is unproductive,” Floyd’s post said.

Another of Floyd’s posts asking people to report Lucy’s location, and not chase the dog was met with a mixed reaction on the social media site. Emotions ran high with people posting helpful hints and even prayers for the dog’s safe return. 

Multiple sightings on Hwy 7 lead neighbors in the area to be on the lookout. Lucy returned to one resident’s property over several days, but the property owner could not gain her trust.

On September 4, Floyd was contacted by KTRE for an interview on the rescue effort. Meanwhile, on the Facebook group, searchers reported they were “getting closer” to capturing Lucy. 

Finally, on the evening of September 4, Lucy was enticed by pieces of steak at the property she had frequented previously. As the property’s owner and Lucy’s new owner sat on their drive, Lucy finally came up to them and eagerly ate the steak. After six days on the run and traveling nearly eight miles, Lucy was back in the arms of the person who adopted her. 

“It was amazing to see the community come together over Lucy,” said Floyd. “Everyone was so excited to learn that Lucy was safe. It was pretty touch and go with her dragging her leash over so many miles. It was a miracle she didn’t get tangled in brush.”

Lucy was tired but with people who cared for her and the community poured out well wishes for the dog and her owners.  Over 150 people commented on the post sharing the news that Lucy was rescued. 

“Thank God, maybe an indoor dog with monitored potty breaks,” one group member said.  “Poor baby! I was thinking about her with this storm! So thankful!” another member said. 

Although she was rescued in relatively good condition, Lucy needed veterinary care including fluids, food, and care for her sore foot pads. 

Floyd noted that Lucy brought people in the community together.  “It was wonderful to see the community come together over Lucy. People who never would have met in real life became friends through social media,” Floyd said. 

Though she isn’t the star of a vintage sitcom, it’s obvious that at least in Nacogdoches, everyone loves Lucy.

“[She’s] living her best life!,” Lucy’s new owner said earlier today.  “She has been free of a leash for a week now and enjoying her space to romp and run with her sisters!”