Clover's Story
"Brida means “strength” and she truly has shown strength to survive what she went through."
We rescued Clover (now Brida) in October 2020 from Helpess Hounds. We saw her story and pictures on their Facebook page where she was severely underweight, found as a stray, and had sores on her body. We decided right then and there that we wanted to turn her life around, get her healthy, and have her be a part of a loving family. When we first met her, she was sweet but very shy. Fast forward 6 months, she has opened up to be a happy, loving and goofy girl.
Her best friend is Winston, a redbone coonhound, and they play together, and chase each other all day long. She has gained about 24 lbs since being rescued off the street, and the hair has grown back over most of the areas where she had sores. We decided on the name Brida because Brida means “strength” and she truly has shown strength to survive what she went through. We are so grateful that she has become a part of our family. Thank you Helpless Hounds for the great work that you do every day.
Her best friend is Winston, a redbone coonhound, and they play together, and chase each other all day long. She has gained about 24 lbs since being rescued off the street, and the hair has grown back over most of the areas where she had sores. We decided on the name Brida because Brida means “strength” and she truly has shown strength to survive what she went through. We are so grateful that she has become a part of our family. Thank you Helpless Hounds for the great work that you do every day.
Waylon, Lolli & Waffle's Story
Waylon was our first Helpless Hound adoption in 2020. Waylon was such an easy adoption. He came to us as a 2-year-old loving, playful and un-fearful dog. He absolutely loved playing with his siblings, as we had 3 other dogs at the time, so it was a no-brainer when it came to solidifying his adoption. Waylon is now 5 years old, very much a momma's boy. As my husband would say, he would trip him in front of a bus just to have me all for himself. He still thinks he's a lap dog, and has to snuggle at my side at night. He was a blessing of an addition to the Hudson household.
Lollie was our second adoption from Helpless Hounds, and I am going to try my best to convey how special this adoption was to us. We agreed to foster Lollie in the middle of June of 2021. Lollie was transported to me from Tulsa, and when I first saw her, I can tell you my heart broke into a 1000 pieces. Lollie was a 14-year-old basset, skinny, hair missing in patches, her teeth un-managed, partially blind, mostly deaf, and her back legs seemed to not coordinate with each other. Lollie had been abandoned for a while before Helpless Hounds was able to get her, and it showed. I brought Lollie home, and it was not an easy transition. She snapped at my other dogs, and would bark as if she were in pain constantly. We were unsure how the next few days would go. However, in true old lady fashion, we got her comfortable for a nap and gave her some food, and she completely turned around. My other dogs noticed she needed her space and gave it to her. But, she would also let them know when they were getting into her bubble too much. Within a few days, she started coming towards my husband and I, like she realized we were the safe places to be. We made her multiple beds at night for her comfort, but started to always sleep next to my husband. In a few weeks, we started to notice that her legs were not wobbling anymore. She honestly started walking with what you could only call a strut. We were soon contacted by the rescue to let us know they'd found a rescue in Chicago that specialized in senior girls just like her and that they were setting up transport. But my husband and I couldn't let her go. She had come so far in the few weeks at home with us, and we knew transporting her would only damage her self confidence and backtrack her progress. We knew she had to stay, and was going to be a new addition to our household. And with that, we officially adopted her. Lollie survived with us for 2 more years... Lollie suffered a stroke in February of 2023, and her body seemed to slowly defy her day after day. We were blessed to be able to say goodbye to her in our own home, where she so happily lived the rest of her days. We called her our "ol lady," and she and my husband were inseparable for the remainder of her life. Lollie was our most favorite adoption. Because of her, I find myself preaching to others about the adoption of senior dogs. No matter their age, or life expectancy, your love for that senior dog overpowers any emotion of the inevitable upcoming grief. We miss her every day.
Five months after losing our senior, Lollie, I got a text from Helpless Hounds saying that they had someone they thought we would be interested in. Fully preparing myself for another senior dog, they sent me these pictures of this tiny, adorable, basset hound puppy. The sweet girl had been sold with Parvo from a breeder. Helpless Hounds was able to step in, and after weeks of fighting, this strong little one beat it. We set up transport for the next day and she was on the way to us. We named her Waffles. Within the first day, we already knew she was going to blend in with the rest of the Hudson hounds. She was sweet, cuddly, yet rambunctious and oh so playful. She immediately bonded with Jenny, a 1 1/2-year-old Malinois mix whom we adopted last year. She's growing so much, and her chunky little paws are struggling to keep up. She still begs us to pick her up every day, and when we feed her, we almost need to get her a helmet as she gets the tornado zoomies and tends to twirl herself into doors and walls. Our doggy door has seen better days, as she has yet to learn she has brakes, and barges through it, going 90 miles an hour. She has so many qualities that remind us of our Lollie, and she makes us smile every day. We can't thank Helpless Hounds enough for choosing us to be her forever family.
Lollie was our second adoption from Helpless Hounds, and I am going to try my best to convey how special this adoption was to us. We agreed to foster Lollie in the middle of June of 2021. Lollie was transported to me from Tulsa, and when I first saw her, I can tell you my heart broke into a 1000 pieces. Lollie was a 14-year-old basset, skinny, hair missing in patches, her teeth un-managed, partially blind, mostly deaf, and her back legs seemed to not coordinate with each other. Lollie had been abandoned for a while before Helpless Hounds was able to get her, and it showed. I brought Lollie home, and it was not an easy transition. She snapped at my other dogs, and would bark as if she were in pain constantly. We were unsure how the next few days would go. However, in true old lady fashion, we got her comfortable for a nap and gave her some food, and she completely turned around. My other dogs noticed she needed her space and gave it to her. But, she would also let them know when they were getting into her bubble too much. Within a few days, she started coming towards my husband and I, like she realized we were the safe places to be. We made her multiple beds at night for her comfort, but started to always sleep next to my husband. In a few weeks, we started to notice that her legs were not wobbling anymore. She honestly started walking with what you could only call a strut. We were soon contacted by the rescue to let us know they'd found a rescue in Chicago that specialized in senior girls just like her and that they were setting up transport. But my husband and I couldn't let her go. She had come so far in the few weeks at home with us, and we knew transporting her would only damage her self confidence and backtrack her progress. We knew she had to stay, and was going to be a new addition to our household. And with that, we officially adopted her. Lollie survived with us for 2 more years... Lollie suffered a stroke in February of 2023, and her body seemed to slowly defy her day after day. We were blessed to be able to say goodbye to her in our own home, where she so happily lived the rest of her days. We called her our "ol lady," and she and my husband were inseparable for the remainder of her life. Lollie was our most favorite adoption. Because of her, I find myself preaching to others about the adoption of senior dogs. No matter their age, or life expectancy, your love for that senior dog overpowers any emotion of the inevitable upcoming grief. We miss her every day.
Five months after losing our senior, Lollie, I got a text from Helpless Hounds saying that they had someone they thought we would be interested in. Fully preparing myself for another senior dog, they sent me these pictures of this tiny, adorable, basset hound puppy. The sweet girl had been sold with Parvo from a breeder. Helpless Hounds was able to step in, and after weeks of fighting, this strong little one beat it. We set up transport for the next day and she was on the way to us. We named her Waffles. Within the first day, we already knew she was going to blend in with the rest of the Hudson hounds. She was sweet, cuddly, yet rambunctious and oh so playful. She immediately bonded with Jenny, a 1 1/2-year-old Malinois mix whom we adopted last year. She's growing so much, and her chunky little paws are struggling to keep up. She still begs us to pick her up every day, and when we feed her, we almost need to get her a helmet as she gets the tornado zoomies and tends to twirl herself into doors and walls. Our doggy door has seen better days, as she has yet to learn she has brakes, and barges through it, going 90 miles an hour. She has so many qualities that remind us of our Lollie, and she makes us smile every day. We can't thank Helpless Hounds enough for choosing us to be her forever family.
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Trigger's Story
"I saw him walking down the street, and I just knew that he was meant to be with me."
Trigger came into Tulsa Animal Welfare as a stray: dirty, bloody, terrified, with an ear that was barely hanging on after what we’re guessing was an encounter with another dog. Helpless Hounds pulled him and brought him to their office while searching for a foster, and his demeanor changed instantaneously. Trigger spent a week learning so much about being a dog with his foster momma, Yvette, while also learning about safety and love, and lots of walks...which leads us to the heart of this story. While on a walk with foster momma, Trigger encountered a man named Aaron, only in town for a short period of time, working as a lineman out of Colorado. Aaron liked to pet all dogs he sees while traveling and working, and before he could even ask, Trigger immediately ran up to him, ready for pets.
Fast forward, and we received an excited call from Aaron’s fiancé, Mariah, back in Colorado, letting us know she just received a call that THEIR dog was waiting for them in Tulsa. He was THE ONE, and Aaron couldn’t live without him. We got all the tinglies, got right on the app, and low and behold, it was indeed the perfect match. Aaron had a flight back to Colorado that evening, but somehow (we’re calling it fate) got off early enough to swing by the office to spend some time with little man. He was headed home to get his car and make arrangements to come back for Trigger.
While we were working on figuring out a vehicle transport for the following weekend for Mr. Trigger, one of our adopters, who also happens to be a pilot, stepped up and offered to FLY him to Colorado to his forever home! Talk about a story! Trigger not only got to meet his new mom and fur-sister, Rosie, whom he is besties with already, but he also got to experience his first Colorado snow!
While we were working on figuring out a vehicle transport for the following weekend for Mr. Trigger, one of our adopters, who also happens to be a pilot, stepped up and offered to FLY him to Colorado to his forever home! Talk about a story! Trigger not only got to meet his new mom and fur-sister, Rosie, whom he is besties with already, but he also got to experience his first Colorado snow!
Waylon's Story
Something you need to know...
My oldest daughter adopted Waylon from Helpless Hounds for me and gave him to me in March 2020. At the time, the thought of caring for an animal at my age (73) was the farthest thing from my mind, but his soft ears, golden eyes, and the interest he showed in my wife gave cause to give in and accept him. He was incredibly cute.
The history we received on Waylon was that he had been hit by a car, either in Okmulgee or on the Muskogee Turnpike, retrieved and placed in a car by some Samaritan woman, and transported for whatever reason to Helpless Hounds. We were informed that Waylon had sustained significant injuries to his feet and torso consistent with an auto impact, and the decision was made to rescue and save Waylon. Necessary surgery consisted of removing the "ball' of Waylon's femur and the loss of some toes.
These surgeries, to me, seem extensive for a rescue, but maybe also consistent with some in-vivo experience gained by performing the procedure. Whatever the reason, the end result has be remarkable.
I first must share how I "allow" Waylon to exist in our home. Behind us, we have a huge 500-year rain retention pond. I quickly learned early on, that Waylon, as a hound, with a keen scent of a nose, was an opportunist and captured any opportunity to "explore" beyond his new boundaries. Hundreds of people walk with their dogs, the trail of the pond, daily. Therefore, he and I took several leashed trips to learn, mark, and identify his boundaries. Several times, he explored on his own as he discovered an open door or gate or whatever allowed him to see on the other side. He quickly taught me that he liked his new home so very much that the return trip was guaranteed.
His short travels quickly prompted me to place several collar ID tags announcing Waylon as a "trusted wanderer," his address, my phone number, and notes that he would return home. Waylon, in his stealth mode, was returned by several people, mostly infatuated by his overall presence. Realizing this was headed to repeat itself, as Waylon had "to follow his nose," I made a "Waylon Gate" in my fence, for him to access the pond, as it is gated, and one cannot exit the area, unless allowed.
In a very short time, Waylon became recognized for what he was and where he lived. His soft floppy ears and huge golden eyes mesmerized all. He made over 100 new friends in people as well as dogs. He would walk with people. His best friends became Jeeter and Ruby. He was quickly proclaimed as the "Mayor of the Pond," as he was out there most of the day, greeting, walking, and snagging treats from everyone.
And now, at approximately 4 years, he has mellowed and become a tad judgmental on who he wants to see, several times a day, just sticking his head out his gate to see who's coming and then, maybe not walking with them at that point in time.
The reason I share this with you, and there is much much more to share, is that someone made a decision not to euthanize Waylon, rather to expend some time, effort and resources to save him. That decision has directly impacted the lives of over 100 people. Waylon makes people smile and feel good. He makes them, and mostly me, laugh! Children have knocked on our door to ask if Waylon could come out and play. Everyone knows his name! Everyone leans over to pet him for longer than 10 seconds. I've never seen a dog where everyone uses 2 hands to pat and pet him. He is a drug to people. We have a semi-private fence so people can see in. They walk by and loudly comment, "Hi, Waylon....Hi, Waylon's dad!!"
There are hundreds of Waylon stories. And there will be 100s more. He is one of the most amazing dogs I've ever seen. And he sits with his legs crossed!! When we travel, he places his chin on my shoulder.
Thanks be to those of you that helped in the decision to save his live....to touch so many more.
My oldest daughter adopted Waylon from Helpless Hounds for me and gave him to me in March 2020. At the time, the thought of caring for an animal at my age (73) was the farthest thing from my mind, but his soft ears, golden eyes, and the interest he showed in my wife gave cause to give in and accept him. He was incredibly cute.
The history we received on Waylon was that he had been hit by a car, either in Okmulgee or on the Muskogee Turnpike, retrieved and placed in a car by some Samaritan woman, and transported for whatever reason to Helpless Hounds. We were informed that Waylon had sustained significant injuries to his feet and torso consistent with an auto impact, and the decision was made to rescue and save Waylon. Necessary surgery consisted of removing the "ball' of Waylon's femur and the loss of some toes.
These surgeries, to me, seem extensive for a rescue, but maybe also consistent with some in-vivo experience gained by performing the procedure. Whatever the reason, the end result has be remarkable.
I first must share how I "allow" Waylon to exist in our home. Behind us, we have a huge 500-year rain retention pond. I quickly learned early on, that Waylon, as a hound, with a keen scent of a nose, was an opportunist and captured any opportunity to "explore" beyond his new boundaries. Hundreds of people walk with their dogs, the trail of the pond, daily. Therefore, he and I took several leashed trips to learn, mark, and identify his boundaries. Several times, he explored on his own as he discovered an open door or gate or whatever allowed him to see on the other side. He quickly taught me that he liked his new home so very much that the return trip was guaranteed.
His short travels quickly prompted me to place several collar ID tags announcing Waylon as a "trusted wanderer," his address, my phone number, and notes that he would return home. Waylon, in his stealth mode, was returned by several people, mostly infatuated by his overall presence. Realizing this was headed to repeat itself, as Waylon had "to follow his nose," I made a "Waylon Gate" in my fence, for him to access the pond, as it is gated, and one cannot exit the area, unless allowed.
In a very short time, Waylon became recognized for what he was and where he lived. His soft floppy ears and huge golden eyes mesmerized all. He made over 100 new friends in people as well as dogs. He would walk with people. His best friends became Jeeter and Ruby. He was quickly proclaimed as the "Mayor of the Pond," as he was out there most of the day, greeting, walking, and snagging treats from everyone.
And now, at approximately 4 years, he has mellowed and become a tad judgmental on who he wants to see, several times a day, just sticking his head out his gate to see who's coming and then, maybe not walking with them at that point in time.
The reason I share this with you, and there is much much more to share, is that someone made a decision not to euthanize Waylon, rather to expend some time, effort and resources to save him. That decision has directly impacted the lives of over 100 people. Waylon makes people smile and feel good. He makes them, and mostly me, laugh! Children have knocked on our door to ask if Waylon could come out and play. Everyone knows his name! Everyone leans over to pet him for longer than 10 seconds. I've never seen a dog where everyone uses 2 hands to pat and pet him. He is a drug to people. We have a semi-private fence so people can see in. They walk by and loudly comment, "Hi, Waylon....Hi, Waylon's dad!!"
There are hundreds of Waylon stories. And there will be 100s more. He is one of the most amazing dogs I've ever seen. And he sits with his legs crossed!! When we travel, he places his chin on my shoulder.
Thanks be to those of you that helped in the decision to save his live....to touch so many more.
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Harper's Story
Coming soon...
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