My name is Luke!

Posted 1 month ago | Updated 1 day ago

Cared for by Worthy Dog Rescue

Adoption process

Submit Application

Interview

Home Check

Approve Application

Meet the Pet

Sign Adoption Contract

Pay Fee

Or Apply to Adopt

My basic info

Breed

Shepherd (Unknown Type)/Labrador Retriever

Color

–

Age

Senior

Size

Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)

Weight

–

Sex

Male

Pet ID

20306243

My details

Good with kids

Good with dogs

Good with cats

Shots current

Spayed / Neutered

Housetrained

My story

Here's what the humans have to say about me:

Meet Luke! This sweet, budding senior was rescued from living chained to a tree in rural NC. When his remaining owner passed away, no one in the family wanted him, so they posted him on social media as a free giveaway. Thankfully, a concerned citizen stepped up to take Luke in until a more permanent solution could be found. She reached out to us for help, and Luke officially became a Worthy Dog.

We think Luke is about 7 to 8 years old, but he could be younger — he still has a good energy level and playful spirit. After only a few weeks of freedom, you could see his joy and total change of disposition. We’ve learned that he loves toys and enjoys being outside where he can romp and play. He’s housetrained, crate trained, and has been getting short daily leash walks to build up his leg muscles and stamina after living a forced sedentary lifestyle on a chain.

Luke has been an inside dog for over three months now and has lived with a smaller dog and cats. He just did a short board and train for him while his foster family traveled. The trainer introduced him to multiple dogs and new people to assess his social skills. He did well interacting with everyone and is learning how to navigate new social situations, something he never experienced in his prior life. Luke has some natural protective tendencies that come with his breed mix, so his foster mom is having guests visit to teach him how to meet and greet visitors. He does well when given tasty treats and a few minutes to assess and trust the situation. He needs an owner who will give him that leadership and guidance, and keep expanding his social interactions.

*****

FOSTER MOM UPDATE - 4/15/24

"Luke is so affectionate with his people and is a joy to have around. He's very easygoing and will let us rub him and handle him easily. He has started to gently poke us when we're eating but will just lie down when we ignore him. He loves going for walks--or should I say strolls? We are doing two short walks a day and his strength and stamina are improving. He has been pretty good at meeting people during our walks, but he’s still cautious in new situations and needs someone who understands that. We don't pass many dogs on our walks and he can get excited but is very easily redirected. He was good with a 9-year-old neighbor he met and didn't get excited/fearful when his friend rode by on a bike.

Luke likes to play with us, but he is also self-entertaining. He loves his wishbone nylabone and Kongs. And he'll often push the Kong at me to play with him. He doesn't guard his toys, you can take them out of his mouth as well. No evidence of food guarding either. He doesn't love his crate, but he will settle in calmly. When we come back in from our last potty break before bed, he will head towards the sofa. I usually need to guide him by the collar into the crate. Today left him in the house alone for about 45 minutes, and all was good. No anxiety, no destruction, we returned to a calm dog.

We’ve been working on his greeting skills in the home and he's learning that visitors mean tasty treats and lots of pets. Luke needs reassurance of what to do in new social situations. The first day he was here I had a neighbor come over. We met outside the gate and walked into the yard together. He was great. Then she rang the doorbell and came in; once again he did well. The second day a different neighbor came over and we met outside the gate. He was a little more excited and grabbed at her hand--not a bite but a little more than mouthing. Then he was fine. She took the leash and started working with him, and he was fine.

We had three different people come over last week. My trainer friend Beth greeted Luke with lavish treats and had him literally eating out of her hand in no time. The next day her husband came with the same results. Another neighbor stopped over the next day with the same results. We had a houseguest stay with us last week, so when my friend arrived, I gave her treats to win Luke over. Once again, that's all it took. He was really nuzzling her hands for a while, so we had her hold out a flat palm as he got pretty playful with her. We crated him overnight as a precaution, but he was also fine the next morning and good when we got home five days later.

I took him to PetSmart yesterday and he exceeded all expectations. He was a bit surprised by the automatic doors but only hesitated momentarily to go in. We leisurely wandered the aisles. We didn't meet any dogs during our wandering, but dogs near the exit or waiting for their grooming didn't seem to interest him. And he does so well in the car, he either sits or lies down. He did give the bank teller a big hello when we stopped at the drive-up window!.

Overall, Luke is fantastic! Affectionate, easygoing, friendly, likes to play but is laid back. He's a keeper!”

*******

We are looking for a FOSTER or ADOPTER for this handsome boy, and are open to foster-to-adopt homes too. Luke needs a calm home/community environment and a family with a flexible schedule. He's not a city dog, He would do best in a single-family home with a yard to explore, and would be fine as an only dog or paired with another calm dog who matches his energy level. He’s been chained most of his life and needs time to adapt to all the new things.

MUST have some large dog experience and know how to lead. Luke is a great dog, loves people, and will be a very loyal companion, but he also needs someone to gradually introduce him to new things and show him what's expected of him.

Apply today for this very worthy dog.

BREED ESTIMATE: Shepherd/Lab Mix
GENDER: Male
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 75 lbs
APPROXIMATE AGE: ~ 7.5 years old
COAT TYPE: Medium wavy coat
ADOPTION FEE: $400
OTHER INFO: utd on shots/neutered/microchipped
LOCATION: Fort Mill, SC

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

You can also help save dogs like this one by becoming a foster, providing a rescue dog with a temporary home and giving them the love and care they need until they are permanently adopted. Every person who fosters is directly responsible for saving the life of a dog, because we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. If you think you might be interested in becoming a foster and want to learn more, please go to https://foster.worthydog.org and fill out an application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

*****

FOSTER MOM UPDATE - 4/15/24

Overall, Luke is fantastic! Affectionate, easygoing, friendly, likes to play but is laid back. He's a keeper!”

*******

Apply today for this very worthy dog.

FOR MORE INFO OR TO ADOPT: Please go to https://adopt.worthydog.org and complete the application.

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue that primarily adopts to families in the DC Metro area.

Rescue

Worthy Dog Rescue

Contact info

Pet ID

20306243

Contact

—

Phone

—

info@worthydogrescue.org

Website

https://worthydog.org

Address

Vienna, VA 22181

Donation

Donate to This Rescue

Their adoption process

1.
Submit Application

To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application.

2.
Interview

Once your application is reviewed, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application

3.
Home Check

A volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for a dog

4.
Approve Application

After a positive veterinary reference check, phone interview, and home visit, we will approve your application

5.
Meet the Pet

Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog

6.
Sign Adoption Contract

7.
Pay Fee

Additional adoption info

Thank you for considering adoption and choosing to save a dog’s life!

Adding a dog to your family is a rewarding and life-changing experience. Dogs enrich our lives and have the amazing ability to give and receive love unconditionally. They can be your loyal companion and friend, and a watchful playmate for your kids, but they are also a serious, long-term commitment. They will depend on you for their health and well-being, and require an investment of love, time, and money for the rest of their life.

As you search for your new dog, please remember that there is no shortage of dogs who need saving. There are far more dogs waiting to be adopted than people who are willing to adopt them, so if the dog in the picture who you’ve imagined bringing home isn’t available, there are thousands more amazing, loving dogs just hoping for the chance to be your dog. We ask that you keep an open mind, stay flexible, and we will do our best to work with you to find a great match for your family.

We strongly encourage anyone thinking about adopting a dog to do your research and make sure you are prepared for the commitment. If you have thought about what’s required and are ready to adopt, here’s what you can expect when you apply to adopt a dog from Worthy Dog Rescue.

APPROVAL PROCESS

APPLY
To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application

REFERENCES
If applicable, we check vet references to ensure that your pets have been kept current on care, and a copy of your lease to ensure that adopting doesn't violate your rental agreement

INTERVIEW
Once your application is submitted and reviewed, and your vet provides a positive reference, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application

HOME VISIT
A Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for one of our dogs

APPROVAL
Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog. If not, we will work with you to find another dog who will suit your family.

TIMING
The approval process can take a week or two depending on your availability and our volunteers’ schedules. The rescue is run by a team of volunteers from your community who love dogs. We are just regular people with jobs, kids, and lives whose time is as limited as yours. That means that during periods of high activity or seasonal vacations the process may take a little longer.

THE DOG YOU APPLY FOR IS NOT GUARANTEED
Worthy Dog Rescue cannot guarantee that the dog you apply for will be available once you have been approved. We do our best to work with adopters and meet your needs, but we do not adopt dogs on a first-come, first-serve basis. All applications are screened to determine the most suitable match for the dog and the adopter. We want to place dogs in good homes as quickly as possible, so the dog can start their new life with their family, and we can free up their foster home to save another dog in need.
We understand how easy it is to become attached to a dog you’ve found online, but sometimes the dog you apply for may already be scheduled to meet another adopter, or it may not be the best fit for your home for a variety of behavioral reasons. Our dogs are fostered by one of our volunteers, living in their home as part of their family. This allows us to get to know the dog, what they need, their level of socialization, and the type of home that will best suit them.
Our goal is to place dogs in loving, responsible, and committed permanent homes. We take great care in finding good matches for our dogs and adopters too. We look forward to working with you to find the dog that will be with you and your family for many years to come.

ADOPTION POLICIES

Must be at least 23

All applicants who live in a rental property must provide contact information for their landlord, and have approval from the landlord to have a pet at the residence listed on the adoption application

Applicants must allow Worthy Dog Rescue to conduct a home visit to confirm that your home will be a good environment for a new dog

All animals in the applicant’s household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccines before consideration

All adults living in the home must meet the dog and be in agreement about adoption

Applicants must be willing to keep their new dog and current family pets as indoor pets

All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed for the dog including, but not limited to, yearly medical checkups, vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication

Dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog

A fenced yard is ideal for dogs, but is NOT a requirement for adoption unless specified

Because young puppies require intensive training and care, we cannot place puppies younger than five months of age in a home where someone is consistently absent from the home for long periods of time

In the event an adoption does not work out, applicants must agree to return the dog to Worthy Dog Rescue rather than rehoming the dog themselves

Thank you for considering adoption and choosing to save a dog’s life!

APPROVAL PROCESS

APPLY
To start the approval process, the first step is to complete our non-binding adoption application

REFERENCES
If applicable, we check vet references to ensure that your pets have been kept current on care, and a copy of your lease to ensure that adopting doesn't violate your rental agreement

INTERVIEW
Once your application is submitted and reviewed, and your vet provides a positive reference, a Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will contact you to schedule a phone interview to discuss your application

HOME VISIT
A Worthy Dog Rescue volunteer will schedule a time to visit your home, in person, to meet you and verify that your home is a good, safe environment for one of our dogs

APPROVAL
Upon approval, if the dog you applied for is still available and a good match, we will schedule a time for you to meet the dog. If not, we will work with you to find another dog who will suit your family.

TIMING
The approval process can take a week or two depending on your availability and our volunteers’ schedules. The rescue is run by a team of volunteers from your community who love dogs. We are just regular people with jobs, kids, and lives whose time is as limited as yours. That means that during periods of high activity or seasonal vacations the process may take a little longer.

THE DOG YOU APPLY FOR IS NOT GUARANTEED
Worthy Dog Rescue cannot guarantee that the dog you apply for will be available once you have been approved. We do our best to work with adopters and meet your needs, but we do not adopt dogs on a first-come, first-serve basis. All applications are screened to determine the most suitable match for the dog and the adopter. We want to place dogs in good homes as quickly as possible, so the dog can start their new life with their family, and we can free up their foster home to save another dog in need.
We understand how easy it is to become attached to a dog you’ve found online, but sometimes the dog you apply for may already be scheduled to meet another adopter, or it may not be the best fit for your home for a variety of behavioral reasons. Our dogs are fostered by one of our volunteers, living in their home as part of their family. This allows us to get to know the dog, what they need, their level of socialization, and the type of home that will best suit them.
Our goal is to place dogs in loving, responsible, and committed permanent homes. We take great care in finding good matches for our dogs and adopters too. We look forward to working with you to find the dog that will be with you and your family for many years to come.

ADOPTION POLICIES

Must be at least 23

All applicants who live in a rental property must provide contact information for their landlord, and have approval from the landlord to have a pet at the residence listed on the adoption application

Applicants must allow Worthy Dog Rescue to conduct a home visit to confirm that your home will be a good environment for a new dog

All animals in the applicant’s household must be spayed/neutered and up to date on all vaccines before consideration

All adults living in the home must meet the dog and be in agreement about adoption

Applicants must be willing to keep their new dog and current family pets as indoor pets

All adoptive families will provide all medical care and treatment needed for the dog including, but not limited to, yearly medical checkups, vaccines, and preventative heartworm medication

Dogs will be adopted only as a personal companion and not as a gift, working animal, or guard dog

A fenced yard is ideal for dogs, but is NOT a requirement for adoption unless specified

Because young puppies require intensive training and care, we cannot place puppies younger than five months of age in a home where someone is consistently absent from the home for long periods of time

In the event an adoption does not work out, applicants must agree to return the dog to Worthy Dog Rescue rather than rehoming the dog themselves

Adoption application

https://adopt.worthydog.org

Go meet their pets

Worthy Dog Rescue believes that public adoption events are unnecessarily stressful for the dogs and the foster families who care for them, and that our structured, personalized adoption process leads to a more consistently positive outcome for both the dog and the adopter.

More about this rescue

Worthy Dog Rescue is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in distress, especially those living on chains, in pens, or in neglectful and abusive situations. Our mission is to provide a better life for dogs, while working to address the root problems of animal overpopulation and improve animal welfare. We do this through community outreach and by supporting and educating dog owners in underserved communities, by sponsoring spay and neuter programs, and by rescuing and rehabilitating dogs in need.