BONES PLACES LUCY
OUR 500TH BEAGLE

In October 2005, BONES reached a significant milestone. It placed its 500th beagle-Lucy, the red-and-white freckled cutie-in her forever home. Lucy's placement epitomizes the happy endings orchestrated by BONES since June 2003. Because of the work of committed volunteers and the kindness of adoptive humans, the previously-needy Lucy has blossomed and joined a loving family. As Ann Kent-Gasiorowski, Lucy's foster mom, states, "Lucy is what BONES is all about."

Lucy found her way to BONES because she was having difficulty adapting to "city noises" at her previous home. Luckily, Ann opened her heart and home to foster Lucy. At first, Lucy was a "basket of nerves" and quite challenging-she barked at strangers, was not well socialized, and was aggressive towards other animals. She was fiercely independent, very protective of herself, and afraid to "let go." But Ann could tell that despite Lucy's tough exterior, she was a sweet girl underneath. For six months, Ann showered Lucy with constant love and attention. As a result, Lucy gained confidence, became calm, and learned appropriate behavior. She settled in beautifully and even learned to play with and love her foster siblings. Finally, the real Lucy emerged.
Meanwhile, Sue Hargreaves noticed Lucy on the BONES website. Sue already had two beagles and had not intended on owning three (she just liked visiting the site to see the dogs). But as Sue explained, "Sometimes a higher power seems to play into it." Sue fell in love with Lucy but chose not to pursue her due to concerns about how Lucy and Buddy, the Hargreaves' alpha beagle, would get along (Lucy's bio stated that she did best with submissive dogs). Still, Sue kept checking on Lucy every day. "The fact that she had three legs [she lost one in a car accident] made no difference in the world to me," Sue stated. "It actually made me want her more."

Sue continued to look at the BONES site and became interested in another dog (who Sue soon learned was already being adopted). At that point, Marsha Cook, Sue's adoption counselor, asked Sue to consider Lucy. After Sue explained both her love for and concerns about Lucy, a "trial adoption" was arranged to ensure that Lucy would gel with the Hargreaves' other beagles. The trial could not have gone better. Buddy approached Lucy about two hours after she entered her new home; he sniffed her nose, she gave him a growl, and he has respected her ever since! Sue reports that Lucy has brought a lot of happiness to the Hargreaves family and that her three beagles "…get along like they have lived together forever."

Lucy's placement was a cause for celebration. "She waited for a LONG time for the right home to come along," stated Leanne Parks, president of BONES. "It was a well-deserved 500th adoption, that's for sure." For Joy Bunkowske, vice president of BONES, it was also a time for reflection-not only for what BONES has accomplished but also for what lies ahead. "I am humbled and in awe of what a small group of beagle lovers has been able to accomplish in just 2 1/2 years... Pooling our energies, we have been able to help 500 beagles find loving and caring homes. More beagles are waiting for our assistance, and I'm certain the BONES family will be there to make a difference whenever possible."