Edhat Staff
Alisa and Lucas (Photo: Michelle Lee / Pets in Focus)
By edhat staff
The rescued dog who fell off the cliffs of the Douglas Preserve of near the July 4th holiday has been adopted by a local family and is now thriving.
On the morning of July 4, 2019, a Good Samaritan called the Santa Barbara Police Department to report a lifeless dog on the sand under a 70-foot cliff near the shoreline. It was determined that he had been lying lifeless on the ground for 6 hours before being rescued.
Santa Barbara Police officers, Animal Control, and Harbor Patrol responded and immediately transported the dog to Santa Barbara VCA Care Specialty & Emergency Animal Hospital to stabilize his life-threatening condition.
Santa Barbara County Animal Services partnered with area non-profits K-9 Placement and Assistance League (K-9 PALS) and Dog Adoption & Welfare Group (DAWG) to secure enough funds to pay for his emergency surgery. He was not microchipped and was not wearing an identification tag, nor have any of the involved groups been able to locate an owner.
They named him Lucas and after a successful surgery, he spent several weeks of therapy and recuperative care, including physical therapy with medication to control his pain and prevent infection, as well as numerous follow-up vet appointments. He was being fostered by local family, Tracy Green and Sam Sosa, who helped him recover prior to his adoption and he won over many hearts at the Santa Barbara Police Department while the nonprofits searched for a loving home.
Enter local resident Alissa Wilcox who adopted Lucas on November 19. “He’s been such a dream and loves to play with toys, enjoys walks and treats and loves being with his people. I am so grateful for all of the people who found him, arranged care for him and who have loved him the last several months,” said Wilcox.
Lucas still has physical therapy at Atlas Rehab for Canines (ARC) with Karen Atlas, and his care is still being paid for by K9 Pals. He has also had a couple of training sessions with Andrea Bratt, owner of K9s Behave to help him socialize better.
Wilcox also credits Onalisa Hoodes, Board President at DAWG and SBPD employee, for being was instrumental in Lucas’ rescue and helped coordinate their initial visit. Wilcox said she we will be planning a get together after the holidays for all those who helped rescue Lucas to see him in person and how far he’s come.
People can follow Lucas’ recovery and daily adventures on Instagram at @Lucasthefurkid.
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This is very sweet. Can’t help but feel unsettled, though, that we are much less likely to extend this kind of unconditional attention, care, and sympathy to our fellow human beings.
Plenty of love and effort are extended to humans hourly. Let the community be happy for Lucas and his adopter.
Great for the dog. It’s so great the community is concerned with one dog while hundreds of humans are currently outside in the rain. Great society we have here.
Wow, my last comment seems to have struck a nerve! Must be some truth in it 😉
Take a chill pill while you’re grillin. It’s great the community helps any dog (who are far more helpless than the majority of humans) and last we saw, there are numerous shelters for the homeless during the rain. Get an ounce of compassion, it’ll go a long way.