Passing the upbeat puppy in the street, few people would realise this was the same dog that survived a brutal animal cruelty attack just 10 months ago.
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Lucky was the sole survivor from a litter of pups bludgeoned to death in Kurri Kurri.
At the time she was a tiny weak little pup that staff at the RSPCA had to nurse back to health.
There were fears she would not survive and would suffer with post-traumatic stress for the rest of her life – but Lucky defied the odds.
“She is thriving,” Rutherford shelter manager Sharon Wynne said. “She goes to the beach, the park and has play dates with other dogs.
“It is all about her now.”
Lucky was adopted out to a family in the Hunter, but she still has regular visits to the Rutherford RSPCA and the people who saved her life.
She has regular massages, mat training and medical appointments, but so far all looks good.
“We needed to select a home that would suit her needs because she does suffer from anxiety after what she has been through,” Ms Wynne said.
“Her family treat her like a princess and she even lives with two cats now.”
When Ms Wynne thinks back to when she first saw Lucky brought in to the veterinary hospital it brings tears to her eyes.
“Just to see how far she has come and now she is just a normal dog,” she said.
“She is just coming along in leaps and bounds.”
Lucky, a mastiff-cross, spent months in foster care under RSPCA supervision and was given an emotional farewell at the shelter in Rutherford in July when she was officially adopted.
She will spend Christmas with her forever family.
People who wish to become a foster carer for dogs like Lucky or would like to adopt a pet should contact the Hunter RSPCA animal shelter at Rutherford on 4939 1555.