Lucie: A dog’s life, remembered

In September 2004 a young, sickly and very pregnant dog invited herself to a patio party, forever changing the course of the lives of all those who were gathered there that day. Of course, none of them could have guessed that her arrival that day might one day save hundreds of other canine lives. 

So, that little dog was indeed blessed to have arrived on Donna Mitchell’s patio that day.

But she was equally blessed to be born into the small and all too often nosy little community of Sheridan. The news of her plight quickly spread throughout it, and soon many like-minded individuals, each fed up with the constant flow of mistreated and dumped off strays running loose in their little town, agreed to make their stand, too. If someone was finally doing something about it, they pledged, they’d have their backs 110%. It was the least they could do.

And it all began by doing what they could to help young Lucie, as she came to be called, and what turned out was her 17 little pups. And true to their word, help the good townspeople did, providing everything from dog food and collars to dog houses and T-posts for fencing, even a bit of cash, every once in a while. Each gave what they could, when they could, and many still do.

When that same community generosity allowed them to help another dog, and then another, it was only then that the people at the patio party that day fully realized the full measure of what they created and the commitment it might require. It indeed was a full-fledged project they had on their hands. 

And what did they call it, this tossed-together rabble with a soft spot for dogs?  Why, no other name would ever quite do, but name it after one who landed them all in this mess from the start.

Soon, Lucie’s Project provided a haven for anywhere from 55-60 dogs at any given time. And just as it has always been, it still gains all its support from the kindness of others—kind hearts connected, they like to call it—to keep its doors open. They proudly remain unaffiliated with both government and agency of any sort, and they gladly retrieve and help home any strays that appear in Lavaca, Dewitt and Colorado counties.

And it was Lucie who brought them together as one, about this time a year ago, after many years’ service to fellow dog and man, halfway through the year 2022, that we were saddened to report, Lucie made her final patrol of the grounds which proudly bore her name. That oft festy little tail of hers gave up just one last wag. 

For while Lucie indeed left behind a remarkable legacy, one lives on strong today still, she remained her own individual, intelligent and true-to-heart, a friend to all she knew. Yes, she was cute and charismatic,  but she also had a second sense about her that was truly uncanny for most four-legged friends. 

If you don’t believe it, just ask anyone who ever made one of the many public appearances she did during her many years with the project which bore her name, for there with Lucie by their sides, it was practically impossible for her volunteer humans to foul things up, thoughGod bless them, oh how they tried.

So, what did Lucie do? Whenever her humans should bumble a prop or perhaps forget their next line, ol’ Lucie would have to take over—look them right in the eye, as if to say, get it together, will you?—then she’d do something cute and unexpected to distract her audience for however long her human might need to try and regroup. A better partner, they would all tell you, was impossible to find.

Lucie seemed to know that all those audiences had gathered just for her, too, and she knew how to both take center stage, when times called for such measures, as well as how to take it in stride. She could pose for the best pictures, and take the red carpet like it was all her own. How many times her human surely must’ve smiled, watching as she strutted her stuff down some other otherwise bland nursing home corridor, dressed in her Sunday best bright pink Tutu with her rhinestone collar all shined up for the occasion, just to spread a little joy or even a giggle or two, with those who needed such things most.

Plus, there wasn’t a supermodel born who would dare touch Lucie’s smile. The contest was hers, hands down you see, and she knew it, too. If, that is, contest was what you might even call it. Even Lucie thought it a bit unfair, considering contest implied the other side somehow stood a chance, and they knew that was a laugh.

But, you see, Lucie seemed to know, and she made it quite clear, that this was HER place, much like Apartment No. 7 was her kennel, set directly under the sign built by one of her favorite humans, a man named Kenneth Cranford, a sign which bore her name and her favorite No. 7, centered between the two main gates to the park she called her home.

From there, she could survey her public, and detect long before they ever entered, the ones who were good and the ones who were bad. If necessary, she would curl up her lip and give an alert bark to reflect her disdain, a bark that all who knew without a doubt that some unwelcome individual was someplace about.

There’s a strict policy down at Lucie’s Project: No dogs on the table, or so it was said. Still on one particularly tough day when her humans were just worn to the bone, they sat down in their places round that table of theirs to ponder their next move. All to try and figure an impossible solution to an unsolvable problem, each flat certain that she couldn’t take one step more or possibly go on. It was then Lucy flew up to the table and planted her bottom. And there on the perch she well knew she shouldn’t have breached, she slowly peered at them, one by one, smiling her beautiful smile at each of them, as if to say, “No worries, girls. We got this. Quit stressing so much, and let’s have some fun. It’ll work out. It always does.” 

Not one of her humans had the heart to tell her to get down. It was HER table, after all.

Despite not saying a single word–dogs can’t talk, you realize–they all heard her meaning loud and clear.  What’s worse, she was right, to boot, and they all knew that, too.

Yes, Lucy offered compassion, comfort and leadership to hundreds of dogs through the referral organization. She touched literally hundreds of human lives, helping shape so many families who wanted a furry family member all their own. The many cancer patients, those who survived another grueling day of chemo and lived to fight on. The many transplant recipients who managed to cling to their one last champion, hope. The autistic child seeking comfort. Those suffering from recent loss, the widow and widower. So many people are searching for that one thing to heal their broken heart.

And along came Lucie or one of her friends…

How many lives were saved by the search-and-rescue dog that she, in fact, once helped save? How many human lives did she forever change in the process? 

But most especially, Lucie taught her humans so many lessons, lessons that each will forever carry with them now, having once known her. Things like: 

• There’s always hope for the challenges you face, and you should always face life with a smile. 

• Be determined and persistent when seeking a solution, especially when it appears there isn’t one. 

• Always be a friend to those in need, stay kind and offer everyone you meet your paw.

• Sure, you may need to curl your lip, sometimes. 

• But otherwise, walk through the world like it’s your own personal red carpet, and shake your Tutu like you mean to. 

• It’s OK if someone laughs or smiles, because that’s joy you’re spreading. 

• And always remember to live in the now.

Lucie and many of the animals she built relationships with through the years who, for better or worse, never did quite find the right home, are kept urns there by the table at Lucie’s Project, to both reassure and remind the many volunteers who pass through her gates, that yes, hope still remains even when things may seem their bleakest. 

Lucie’s urn was thereby added to their memorial, the day that this tribute was first read roughly a year ago now, in June 2022, there at the grounds which still bear her name. Though her wonderful smile is no doubt still thought of fondly by the many who visit on a near daily basis who still fight the good fight for those who need it the most. We thought it appropriate to recognize a few of those she joined on that day, for she was preceded in death by her beloved human and cofounder, Kenneth Cranford, canine companions Jordan, Dobie Black, Ian , Charlie, Deets and Ava. She is survived by hundreds of representatives of all that is kind.

We love you Lucie, her humans said then. Now go spread some of that joy of yours…