A three legged dog with a heart of gold went home to a very special family this past October. Westley, a Beagle blend, came to Helen Woodward Animal Center with only three legs at only three months old. Within days, he had won over the hearts and minds of the Center’s staff with his goofy and playful personality. Surely he would find a forever family within a week of being made available.
Westley’s first days on the adoption floor looked promising. Many families requested face to face meetings with him to see if he’d be a good fit for their home. His charming personality really shined in the meetings. But for whatever reason, no family wanted to take him home. Some said that while he’s incredibly cute, they (wrongfully) thought he’d be extra work as he only has three legs. Others had resident dogs who would overpower Westley during playtime, as he hadn’t had the chance to build up strength in his weak leg.
As the heat of summer departed for cool Autumn nights, Westley remained in his kennel. But one Center volunteer would change the now six-month-old Beagle blend’s life forever.
Patrick Mead had been volunteering at Helen Woodward Animal Center since the mid July. He certainly didn’t plan on adopting any animals when he started — in fact the whole reason he decided to volunteer was so he could spend time with countless pups without having to take them home. But then one day while cleaning kennels, Westley caught his eye.
“He’s a great looking dog,” Mead said. “I talked to my supervisor Courtney and she said he had been here for months and months.”
Mead talked to his wife, Melissa, about taking the tripod home and she said she’d be happy to bring home another dog once their kids were out of the house.
“It had only been a few weeks and I was already trying to take a dog home,” Mead said.
Mead introduced his youngest son Jack to Westley. Jack immediately fell in love with the sweet Beagle-blend and started doing everything in his power to persuade his mom to bring Westley into their home.
After weeks of her youngest boy bugging her, Melissa Mead relented. The family made the trip up to Helen Woodward Animal Center along with their two dogs, Ruby and Scooter. It was then that the Center’s staff learned the Mead family had plenty of experience with three legged dogs — both Ruby and Scooter were tripods!
“They all fell in love, even at the dog to dog meeting” Adoptions Director Kendall Schulz said. “They were all playing at a comparable level, we knew it was a perfect fit!”
The Meads took Westley home in mid October. Since then, he’s adapted incredibly well to his new home. According to Jack, him and Ruby have become best friends and he gives scooter, who’s an older boy, the proper respect he deserves. Patrick said Melissa now adores Westley and probably spends the second most amount of time with him — only behind Jack.
“All dogs are special,” Mead said, “but with these you get a little bit extra.”
