Lucky in love

When Tara's pup leads her to a handsome stranger, she's surprised to find out he's her neighbor—and that her dog has a nose for love!

- -Tanya Schleiden

Tara clipped the leash to Lucky’s collar and opened the apartment door. Dinnertime on a fall day meant most people were inside—maybe the dog park was empty. Since adopting her year-old chocolate Lab weeks earlier, Tara discovered she was shy around other dogs. The one exception: beagles. For some reason, when Lucky glimpsed a beagle, she wiggled with excitement.

Though thrilled with her new position as legal secretary with a law firm, Tara now lived three hours away from her parents. The playful retriever provided welcome company in her new home. As she approached the dog park, Tara spied the upstairs tenant's terrier bouncing around the enclosure. Lucky whined and leaned against her leg. Maybe the dog socialization class she signed up for would help.

Swerving toward the right, Tara detoured over to the deserted playground.

Lucky trotted beside her. Nearing the woods trail, Tara knelt next to the dog and patted her head. “Something must have happened to make you so skittish around other dogs, but we'll figure it out together.”

They walked down the dirt path. Tara was admiring the sun shining through the colorful autumn leaves when Lucky began to walk faster. “Slow down, girl.”

Lucky pulled Tara down the path until she was nearly trotting. Tara tried to stop, but the Lab pulled hard on the leash.