Hungry, But Happy
The rescue team was overwhelmed by Helena’s condition. Usually, dogs in shelters look sad, but not Helena!
She was malnourished and needed to be taken care of, but this pooch couldn’t stop smiling, even though she was hungry.
To The Shelter
The team took her to the shelter, where this dog’s smile got even wider! Helena’s sunny character was over the top.
You could say that she was the happiest dog alive, which meant anyone would be lucky to adopt her.
Always Smiling
About three months after being rescued, she found a forever home. Everyone at the shelter was happy she found a loving family.
But the owner thought something wasn’t right with this dog… What was wrong with Helena?
Taken By Surprise
The mixed-breed pooch has the features of a pit bull, and the owner thought that she would be a little different.
There are many reasons why pet owners send back an adopted animal, but this reason was the weirdest we’ve ever heard of!
Helena Was TOO NICE!
Yes, it seems that being too nice is actually a thing! Who wouldn’t want to have by their side the sweetest dog in the world? Well, Helena’s owner…
So here she was, six months later, back at the shelter. That day, the shelter posted her story on Facebook, and it immediately became viral. Then, a few days later, they get the best news ever!
Helena's Problem
Some dogs like Helena are too nice, and they can be quite clingy. This might have been the issue with Helena, who was also dubbed the Velcro dog.
But if she wanted to follow her humans everywhere, would she find a family that could be there for her 24/7? Check out the answer towards the end of this story!
The Real Reason
“Introducing … the sweetest, nicest, snuggliest dog in the ATL,” wrote the shelter on their social media page.
They explained that the reason the owners gave her was that “she was too nice and just wanted to be around them all the time.” Can you believe this?
Velcro Dog Behavior
Velcro dogs follow you everywhere, and you might even need to take them with you to work – which is kinda cool! Helena was dependent on her owner, this is why she was returned to the shelter.
But Karen Hirsch, the spokesperson for the LifeLine Animal Project said that Helena would find a perfect family that matched her sticky personality!
They Didn't Deserve Her
Karen Hirsch added in an interview with TODAY that Helen “really was returned for being too nice.”
The staff realized that the former owner was not looking for a lovely dog, and Helena was better off without them anyway. Then, the pooch gets an awesome surprise! Here’s what happened next!
Not A Guard Dog
Most of the pooches at the LifeLine Animal Project are a bundle of joy! Believe it or not, Hirsch said that the owner explained why Helena was not a good pet for him.
“It was obvious the gentleman was looking for a guard/protection dog. He also suggested she be adopted by a woman ‘because they are more into that petting stuff", he said. Meanwhile, Helena was in for a treat.
Back At The Shelter
While many men also like “that petting stuff,” we do have to admit that Helena was not a guard dog.
She was a lovely adorable marshmallow, ready to cuddle in your lap and never stray away from you! This is why the shelter reached out and started looking for a proper family this time.
Velcro Dog
Helena was so happy to be around people and having their attention that she stuck to them like Velcro.
This is why the staff at the shelter nicknamed her “Velcro Dog.” The day when her former owner left her at the shelter, she had an awesome reaction!
A Sweet Velvet Hippo
On their Facebook page, they wrote the following: “This Velcro dog sounds just about perfect to us."
"And we know there’s a family out there waiting to spend their nights binge-watching Netflix and snuggling with this sweet velvet hippo", they added.
Don't Stop Petting Her!
Hirsch said that Helena thrives on attention, and “if you stop petting her, she will request you continue.”
While being turned over to the shelter by her owner, Helena sat on “on a staff member’s feet thunking her tail on the floor,” added the spokesperson.
Everyone Loves Her
When people learned about Helena’s story, they shared it and offered to adopt her, wondering how anyone would ever want to send back a dog for being too affectionate.
The shelter had to respond, and then updated them on her situation. Helena looks so happy when she gets the surprise of her life!
Not An Independent Pooch
The shelter wrote that the former owners were probably looking for “a more independent dog; and Helena just isn’t that”.
Even though her blocky appearance makes her look like a guard dog, she is only “pure love and looking for a bestie.” This adorable pooch finally gets two besties who are into “that petting stuff.”
Loving Helena
Hirsch added that Helena must get a home where “she can be smothered in love. And where someone can be the soft side to her Velcro.”
And the best news is that she indeed found two soft sides of Velcro in her new owners!
She Has A New Home
Of course, everyone would like to adopt this sweet marshmallow, and Helena immediately found her humans who will never stop loving and cuddling her.
She slept only two days at the shelter before the perfect family came to take her away.
Helena, The Awesome Pooch
“She is doing terrific and has found the family of her dreams,” Hirsch said. Lifeline Animal Services wrote on Facebook that “Nice guys (dogs) don’t always finish last”.
They also added that the snuggliest pup they ever met was finally living in a home “who’s just as nice as she is.”
Don't Judge Them By Their Appearances!
We must always bear in mind that not all dogs are as tough as they look like! This heartwarming story definitely proves my point.
In other words, the famous saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” definitely applies to animals as well.
Hug Your Pooch!
If your dog loves hugs, you should cuddle them when they come asking for it because they deserve only the best, just like Helena does.
I don't know about you, but learning about Helene's story is definitely making me want to adopt a pooch of my own!
A Happy Life
We're so happy that this Velcro dog found a loving family and that she is getting all the attention she needed from her former owner.
With no doubt, this little pooch is finally putting her snuggly demeanor to good use!