FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – You typically hear stories about people returning dogs to animal shelters because they either can’t take care of them or they claim the dogs aren’t great around others.
But have you heard of one being returned for being too nice?
That’s what happened to adorable Helena, a 3 to 4-year-old Boxer mixed breed.
Helena first came to the Fulton County Animal Services shelter in 2017. Karen Hirsch with LifeLine Animal Project said Helena was skinny and malnourished at the time but quickly allowed her personality to shine through.
She was adopted by her previous owner in October and was recently returned for “being too nice.”
"It was obvious the gentleman was looking for a guard/protection dog,” Hirsch said. “He also suggested she be adopted by a woman 'because they are more into that petting stuff.'"
Hirsch told 11Alive that Helena just wants to be loved. The moment she was brought back to the shelter, Hirsch said Helena sat at a staff member’s feet licking her hand and wanting all the love.
Her sweet and lovable nature is apparent as the staff has deemed her a ‘Velcro dog.’ She sticks to people like Velcro and is constantly wanting to be held or pet.
Hirsch said it’s a misconception that dogs who look like Helena would take more of the protector or guardian role, but that’s just not her.
“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,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “Could that be you?”
If you’re looking for a ‘Velcro dog’ you’ll want to look not further than the Fulton County Animal Services shelter.
Hirsch said people are welcome to stop by the shelter to meet the adorable chunk or you can contact them at adoptions@fultonanimalservices.com for more information.
