Retired NFD Captain Seeks Funds for Beloved Companion

A Newark man who spent his career helping others is now seeking aid for a companion much closer to home -- his golden retriever Lucy, who requires an expensive operation in order to walk pain-free.

“When we got her she just acted like she owned the house. She’s very friendly, very smart,” said Krystal Sanhudo, the daughter of Lucy’s owner Arthur, a retired Newark Fire Department captain and the first Portuguese-American to achieve that rank. “She learned to open doors on her own. She’s the smartest dog we ever had.”

Arthur Sanhudo, who is also a veteran of the Vietnam War, acquired Lucy from a shelter less than a year ago, believing she was only about eight months old and in perfect health. Instead, his daughter says, Lucy was actually closer to two years old and suffers from a severe joint condition. Lucy has to take breaks during even brief walks.

Sanhudo adopted Lucy after the death of his beloved labrador “Capone,” and  the two have become quite attached, Krystal Sanhudo said.

“It was very upsetting when Capone died and he wanted to get another dog,” she said. “They really connected fast. Most people would have given Lucy back but he really loves this dog.”

Krystal Sanhudo is raising funds on behalf of her father for an operation that would restore Lucy’s ability to walk easily. She’s raised nearly $800 through Monday, a little less than half of what's needed to pay for the surgery, according to an online appeal she's posted.

The family hopes to raise the funds soon - when summer ends, Lucy will no longer be able to burn off excess energy in the pool, Sanhudo said. She ends her online appeal with a simple, heartfelt message to prospective donors.

“Please help him help Lucy and allow my father to become a hero once again for this beautiful dog.”