Former Lutz stray makes a 'loveable' TV appearance

There's a new star in our midst.

Lutz pooch Bailey, a 3-year-old malti-poo mix, was featured on ABC's "Wheel of Fortune" recently to celebrate Pet Lovers Week along with PeoplePets.com.

Owners Suzie and Jerry Archibald of Cheval nominated Bailey for the show's Most Loveable Pets contest.

Their entry read something like this, says Suzie.

"The most loveable thing Bailey does is everything. She's loveable when she is floating on a raft in the pool, snuggling with her boyfriend on the backyard swing (yes she's spayed), or driving her golf cart around Cheval's back nine."

Bailey has a rags-to-riches tale that the Archibalds hope will inspire prospective pet owners to adopt a dog or cat from a local shelter or rescue organization.

Late in 2007, she was picked up by Hillsborough County Animal Services as a stray. After being deemed healthy and adoptable, a little luck landed her at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, where she would wait longer for a new family to find her.

She was barely 8 pounds, and her coat had to be shaved because it was so matted. Shelter workers recalled that she was so frightened, she would sit at the back of her kennel, close her eyes and shake.

On Dec. 8, 2007, she got another lucky break when she was chosen to ride along in the mobile adoption unit, which was headed to a pet adoption event in Cheval.

That's where Suzie met her. She had been thinking about adding a dog to the family, and as she sat on a chair for a closer look, Bailey immediately jumped in her lap. Suzie left for some thoughtful consideration.

"I returned later in the day, and Bailey repeated her performance," recalls Suzie. "She jumped in my lap again."

Bailey had picked Suzie.

Jerry was traveling, but when he came home and met Bailey, he, too, fell in love.

The Archibalds will donate their $3,000 prize from the Most Loveable Pets contest to Bailey's alma mater, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Visit the shelter at www.humanesocietytampa.org.