In April 2024, we received an adoption application for Luca, a sweet, playful, and energetic dog. His profile had reached someone in the Netherlands, and after seeing just one photo, they were completely smitten.

As luck would have it, the two kennel managers we had at the time were both from the Netherlands. When they drove back home in mid-July, Luca joined them as their travel companion. Along the way, they arranged to meet Leo, Luca’s new owner, and that was where Luca and Leo met for the very first time.

The connection was instant. 💕

Since then, we’ve regularly received wonderful updates about Luca’s life in the Netherlands. And what we’ve learned is that Luca has become something of a local celebrity in Almere!

Thanks to his adventurous spirit and a few unexpected solo excursions, Luca became well-known through missing dog posts on Facebook. Even the local animal rescue service knows who he is. 😅

Fortunately, Luca now wears a Tractive GPS tracker on his collar, and he hasn’t run off for the past two months.

According to Leo, everyone who meets Luca falls in love with him. He is known as a sweet, friendly, and handsome dog, and we can certainly understand why.

Luca happily plays with all the dogs in the neighborhood and doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. In fact, Leo describes him as the sweetest dog he has ever owned—and Luca is his fifth dog.

Perhaps the most touching part of this story is that Leo had already decided he would never have another dog. But the moment he saw Luca’s photo, everything changed. Sometimes, you just know.

Of course, Luca also keeps life entertaining. Last Christmas, he decided that the family’s artificial Christmas tree made an excellent place to mark his territory. 🎄😅

And despite having lived in the Netherlands for almost two years, Luca is still not convinced by Dutch weather. Heavy rain or even a little hail? No thank you. Growing up under the Spanish sun clearly left its mark.

Now two years old, Luca is still going through a bit of his teenage phase. Every now and then he can be a little stubborn, but that comes with the territory. What stands out most is how affectionate he has become and the strong bond he has built with Leo.

“Luca listens very well now,” Leo tells us. “He’s almost always off-leash when we’re outside. That’s how much I trust him, and apparently he trusts me too. While he occasionally gets distracted by a cat or another dog, he usually comes straight back when called.”

Most importantly, Luca and Leo are thriving together.

“It’s going very well with Luca and me,” Leo says. “I’m so happy with him.”

And to finish with a smile: after spending so much time in the Netherlands, Luca has apparently learned a new language. Every now and then, he even barks in Dutch. 🐶

Stories like Luca’s remind us why we do what we do. Seeing a rescue dog find not just a home, but a true best friend, is the greatest reward imaginable.

Thank you, Leo, for giving Luca the loving life he deserves. We wish you both many more happy adventures together. ❤️🐾