Lucky Days

How Lucky Days came to be. My Story…

My name is Mailley Cross and I am the owner and operator of Lucky Days. I grew up on a small farm, and was fortunate enough to learn about and care for different animals. We had dogs, cats, horses, cows, and even raised a few chickens. The reason I start my story with this is that for as long as I can remember I always had a four-legged shadow following me around, and by that I mean a dog: a buddy to spend time with, play with, sleep with, talk to, and even cry on. As someone who didn’t live in a neighborhood around lots of other kids, it was really nice to have a best friend by my side so I was never lonely.

Given that dogs were always an important part of my life, I knew I would want a dog as an adult, which is why as soon as I got my own place, I found my four-legged soulmate, my chocolate lab named Jack. I got him from a friend when he was 8 weeks old, all fat and fluffy, with paws too big for his body (and so cute!). Now he’s my very handsome 12-year old “other half”. He may have white eyebrows and a white beard, but he will always be my fur-baby, and my best friend.

My husband and I got together in 2010; Jack was about five at the time. My husband also had a furry best friend, a pit bull mix named Lucky, about six years old. He was a big boy, just as tall as my Jack, muscular and strong, coming in at about 95 pounds, with a huge block-head. I really knew nothing about the breed or any ‘reputation’ attached to it. As I said, I grew up around all kinds of animals, and as far as dogs go, I had a bull mastiff, two rotties and two Jack Russell Terriers, so the word pit bull didn’t faze me. After introducing Jack and Lucky on neutral ground, at a hiking trail not far from my house, they spent about three hours together investigating the trail and playing ‘follow the leader’. After that, they were brothers, inseparable, accepting of each other, protective of each other, loving toward one another; we were a family. I tell you this story for a reason. When Lucky came into my life, the game changed. I educated myself on the breed, and I must say, much of what I read broke my heart. Lucky was literally one of the most loving, snuggly, funny, non-vicious dogs I had ever met. Not only was he a wonderful brother and companion for my boy Jack, but he opened my eyes to a breed that was, in my mind, misunderstood and often, unjustifiably mistreated. After spending five amazing years together, we lost Lucky to cancer in November 2015. Our hearts were broken. But Lucky had unlocked something in my heart, and once he was gone, I had a nagging inside of me. A nagging to do something with my life that helped dogs, I just wasn’t sure what, and it I took me about two years to leave the security and financial stability of a Corporate Finance job to venture out on my own and start Lucky Days, in memory of, and because of, that amazing lovable block-head.

So, why the name Lucky Days?

As dog owners, I’m sure we can all relate to this; it’s a beautiful afternoon and you want to take your best buddy outside for some quality time. But brace yourself, because once you say that 4-letter magical word aloud, “W-A-L-K” you will see your furry companion transform, literally. One second, calm dog; next second, super excited crazy happy pup doing circles, maybe jumping up and down, tail wagging super-fast back and forth. Or, in the case of my Jacky boy, swirling in a circle, and big smiles, big, big smiles which is always the case with my pit bull McGee! Let’s face it, our fur babies LOVE spending time with us on a nice stroll, and we love it too. Something about it just helps us clear our heads, makes us laugh, and fills up our hearts because we know that this time together is special.
For both dog and owner, it’s a “Lucky” Day.

This business was started because of the love I have for dogs, especially those breeds that are misunderstood, and because of the tremendous effect Lucky had on me. I miss him every day, and I hope he is looking down on me and smiling, keeping me and my furry companions safe. I love you Luckster, you are my Sunshine.