If you've been to a Durham Bulls baseball game in the last 5 or 6 years there's a good chance that you've met Lucky. There's an even better chance that you've seen him performing on the field during the game, or running his victory lap after a Durham Bulls victory.
Lucky the Wonderdog has been the Official Canine Mascot for the famous Durham Bulls baseball team since 2003. As one of the teams mascots Lucky acts as a goodwill ambassador greeting children (and adults) during baseball games. He also performs a variety of on-field tricks such as spinning, jumping over baseball bats, and leaping through hula-hoops. Lucky's favorite trick is to run a victory lap, around the bases, after a Durham Bulls victory.
Lucky's story is a real life "Ugly Duckling" story. He began his life as a puppy with much too much energy and enthusiasm. He was always in motion. Running, barking, chasing his tail, and playing with his toys, he simply couldn't be still.
Lucky's owners finally came to the conclusion that, for Lucky to be happy, the puppy had to live somewhere with room to run and other dogs to play with. They asked a dog trainer, who had a large property and several other dogs if he might be interested in adopting the rambunctious puppy. He said yes, and Lucky moved in with him that very day.
Gene "The Dog Guy" Lonsway, the trainer who adopted Lucky, soon came to realize that in spite of the larger area for the puppy to run in and the other dogs for the puppy to play with, Lucky still needed more of an outlet for his boundless energy. Lucky needed a job.
Lonsway called the Durham Bulls, discussed the possibility of them using Lucky as one of their mascots, and arranged an interview for Lucky. The team liked the dog's energy and enthusiasm and hired him on the spot. Lucky has been with the team ever since.
The puppy with too much energy finally found a home where his energy was an asset. The puppy who was always in trouble for running, barking, spinning, and jumping was now a star for the same things that used to cause him so much trouble.
Not only is Lucky a star for his work with the Bulls, but he now has his own book. It is a children's story that is based on Lucky's real life. The name of the book is Lucky, oh Lucky - The Puppy Who Loved to Run.
Both Lucky's life and his book share the same moral. "Sometimes being you is hard when you're young, but grow up and you'll see you were a star all along."
