The Rescue Dogs of Decor Direct
Three Rescue Dogs. Three Second Chances.
At Decor Direct, we’ve spent decades restoring reclaimed wood, forgotten antiques, architectural salvage, and one-of-a-kind pieces from around the world. Over the years, we realized something else was happening too.
We were restoring hearts.
Not just through furniture and design, but through the rescue dogs who became part of our family and part of the rhythm of the warehouse itself.
For more than 30 years, rescue dogs have greeted customers at Decor Direct, wandered the showroom aisles, supervised slab production, inspected snacks, and reminded us daily that beautiful things deserve a second chance.
Petey.Different dogs. Different stories. One shared spirit.
petey, Lucky, baru and our Rescue Buddies
petey
The Original Chief Canine Officer
Before Lucky and Baru, there was Petey.
A black-and-white rescue hound mix with endless personality, we rescued Petey from the Humane Society of Sarasota County. He became part of the Decor Direct family in the 1990s and remained by our side for 14 wonderful years.
He lived through the early warehouse days, the long work hours, the growth of the business, and countless customer visits. Petey was there before social media, before smartphones, before “branding” was even part of the conversation. He simply showed up every day with loyalty, humor, and heart.
He helped establish something that would quietly become part of Decor Direct’s identity: a warehouse filled not just with furniture, but with warmth and life.
Lucky
The Warehouse Greeter
In 2013, another rescue pup arrived and quickly became a local legend.
Lucky, our beloved Black Mouth Cur mix, was saved from a high kill shelter in Orlando by our customer Michelle Carlson of the rescue organization "Gimme Shelter Pets". He greeted thousands of customers over the years. Many visitors came to know him as much as they knew the live-edge tables and reclaimed wood slabs.
He wandered the warehouse like he owned the place, happily supervising deliveries, greeting guests, and occasionally finding the best air-conditioned nap spots before anyone else.
Lucky reminded us daily that rescue animals carry a kind of wisdom and gratitude that is hard to describe but easy to feel.
His joyful spirit became woven into the experience of visiting Decor Direct.
Though Lucky’s watch officially ended in 2026, his imprint remains everywhere throughout the warehouse and in the memories of the people who met him.
baru
Chief Canine Officer in Training
Now a new set of paws carries the story forward.
Baru joined Decor Direct in 2026 after being adopted from Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue. Equal parts explorer, comedian, and future warehouse supervisor, Baru is currently in training for his role as the next Chief Canine Officer.
His current responsibilities include:
- Testing office air-conditioning quality
- Chasing sticks twice his size
- Supervising warehouse activity
- Providing morale support during long workdays
Like many rescue puppies, Baru arrived with his own story already beginning before we met him. Watching him grow into confidence and joy has been a reminder of why rescue matters.
Customers now regularly ask for Baru updates when they visit the warehouse.
Some traditions continue naturally.
