Lucky Diamond - The Puppy Love of My Life Has Passed Away

Lucky has been Wendy's muse and close canine companion since the day they met. Her underdog journey wasn't easy at the start, but has certainly been a trail of love and service the entire way.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

We are sad to announce that our beloved pet icon Lucky Diamond -- the inspiration behind Animal Fair has passed away. Lucky's life and her legacy of saving the underdog will be celebrated and her mission continued. She made me realize how lucky I am no matter what transpired in my life. I'm beyond grateful for the outpouring of generosity and support from friends and strangers who know exactly how much Lucky meant to me and how she inspired me everyday. After witnessing Lucky's brave fight with canine cancer, I will increase awareness for animal cancer and help bring permanent homes to the four million animals that are still euthanized each year, in Lucky's honor.

This is Lucky's incredible story and legacy!

2012-06-11-bettyandwendy.jpg

Lucky's barkstory has it that she was on her way to the pound when Wendy was contacted by trainer Bash Dibra, and expressed interest in adopting a small dog. Bash visited later that day and presented Wendy with one furry fluff ball of love named Chloe. When Chloe was introduced to Wendy she started loudly yapping and running in circles, causing canine chaos and putting on a show. Wendy took one look at the spirited hound, rolled her eyes, and sighed "Oh boy, aren't I Lucky!" And in 1999, Lucky Diamond was born.

Lucky had no idea exactly how lucky her life would be! Wendy, was so inspired by her little Maltese she started Animal Fair Media, fairness to animals. Alongside Wendy, Lucky promoted animal rescue and help endangered species globally. Together they created a media mindshare where charity combined with celebrity raised public awareness about animal rescue and the need for adoption from shelters nationally and on the local level. Lucky's relationship with Wendy grew into unconditional love, loyalty, and a genuine bond that happens when people and their pets live together and work together with mutual respect and harmony.

In her constant quest to give back (and get some treats in return), Lucky served as the Chair-Dog for the Katrina Pet Memorial, Grand Marshall of Barkus, as well as the American Cancer Society's Bark for Life and hosted 1000's of fundraisers in her lifetime. She was the only civilian dog admitted into the United Nations, and inspired the White House Pet Correspondents Benefit, St Pawtricks, Yappy Hour, Paws For Style, Howloween events, all to promote animal rescue and welfare. The Humane Society of New York has named a wing after Lucky! Check out AnimalFair.com to take a memorable look at Lucky's many accomplishments and adventures!

Lucky was inducted to Guinness Book of World Records as the most photographed dog with celebrities of all time! Over 300 world-renown A-list celebrities, politicians, athletes and entrepreneurs of the 21st century have been photographed holding Lucky at charity related events. The list of celebrities featured in this one-of-a-kind Who Got Lucky? photo collection include: Bill Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, Dave Matthews, John Travolta, Kanye West, Betty White, Barbara Walters, Sting, Cloris Leachman, Kelly Ripa, Hugh Hefner, Jessica Biel, Kim Kardashian, Sir Richard Branson, Cesar Milan, Buzz Aldrin and many, many others.

Wendy and Lucky traveled the globe finding new and inventive ways to help disenfranchised animals. The dynamic duo graced Russia, Greece, and Mexico searching for puppy love in all of its many breeds and meaning. Eventually, Lucky inspired her to author a collection of best-selling books including;How to Understand Men Through Their Dogs, How to Understand Women Through Their Cats, It's a Dog's World: The Savvy Guide to Four-Legged Living, and her new witty instructional title; How to Train Your Boss to Roll Over. Chicken Soup for the Soul recruited Wendy and Lucky to write the forwards for their pet series -- including What I Learned from the Dog and My Dog's Life editions.

Lucky's underdog journey wasn't easy at the start, but has certainly been a trail of love and service the entire way. Lucky Diamond was a true New Yorker. She rubbed snouts at the local park dog run during the day, and attended charity events benefiting other animals by night! Lucky has been Wendy's muse and close canine companion since the day they met. She inspired Wendy to discover her true calling, helping animals in need. Lucky has left her undeniable mark on the world!

We are still planning Lucky's wedding (although now celebration of Lucky) to bring awareness to animal cancer and rescue, the most expensive pet wedding in history (Guinness World Records). We will celebrate the new dog that Wendy adopts to live on Lucky's legacy of saving the underdog. If any shelters have a hypoallergenic dog ready for adoption, please let us know. The wedding will be a tribute and celebration of Lucky's life! So the search for the Groom goes on. Proceeds and donations from the benefit will be made in Lucky's name and benefit The Humane Society of New York.

She was the sweetest, purest soul and totally without prejudice. Lucky was truly one of a kind, and there will never be another dog like her! We will miss her dearly, and she will never be forgotten.

Honor Lucky's life and service by donating to The Humane Society of New York: humanesocietyny.org, and her favorite animal cancer charities - Morris Animal Foundation www.morrisanimalfoundation.org, and http://pawstrong.org/ . Lucky's body was donated to cancer research.

We are celebrating Lucky's legacy and hope you will join us!

For the Best that Pet Lifestyle and Animal Welfare has to offer follow Wendy and Lucky Diamond on Facebook, Twitter, and AnimalFair.com!

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot