Sam and Tianna
May 6, 2025 - Happy Tails is thrilled to share a happy story about their longest resident they have been caring for named Tianna.
Kelsey Hairgrove, Coordinator of Happy Tails shared how the story started with a phone call, "[Sam] had found a dog on an oilfield location and he wanted us to check it for a chip. So, he brought it up there and we're expecting your normal big dog, and will just have to tell him we can't take it. So, he shows up with this little beagle and we check it and it didn't have a chip and one of the girls ended up taking her home."
Hairgrove then told the happy part of the story which started when Sam said, "Well, now I need a dog." She replied, "So, I asked him what are you looking for. He said bring me the dog that has been here the longest and so I went and I got Tianna and he took her by the leash and said she's spending the night with me and walked out the door."
Stephanie Elswick, founder of Happy Tails, described Tianna's reaction to Sam, "She jumped up in his truck like it had been her truck for her whole life and they haven't been apart since."
Hairgrove said Sam texted her photos of Tianna and the adventures they were on which included playing with some cows and running the pasture with the horses. After the pictures, Sam advised he would be back the next day to fill out the paper work to keep Tianna.
Tianna has been with the shelter since July of 2024 and is the last remaining animal recovered from the city shelter. Another family had taken her home but then had returned her to the shelter because the family and Tianna weren't the right fit.
When Sam returned to finalize Tianna's adoption, Tianna came into the shelter for photos and to tell everyone good bye. Then when the door to the shelter was opened, she immediately returned to stand by Sam's truck to wait for him.
Sam is an oil field worker just in town temporarily and will return to his home with Tianna to meet his wife and kids. Sam's and Tianna's bond was immediate and she will get to live her dream life on 280 acres in Wyoming herding cows and playing with kids.
Happy Tails has a small location which can only take care of a limited number of small animals at a time. They rely on volunteers to help with providing the daily care needed. If you would like to be the new forever family for an animal needing a home, reach out to Happy Tails by visiting https://happytailstexas.org/.
