People often say that time has a way of mending a broken heart, yet they seldom discuss the duration it takes to process grief. Houdini certainly needed that time!
Following the death of his owner, this despondent furry friend spent several weeks waiting outside his empty house in New Orleans, unaware that he would never step inside again.
Yet, hope remained in his heart. He steadfastly waited on his beloved porch for that door to swing open. Unfortunately, it never did, but what he discovered instead helped him deal with his sorrow…
Heartbroken And Scared
Amanda Knight was out walking her dog, Thor, one day when she spotted Houdini sitting all by himself in front of an empty house. Initially, she assumed he was waiting for someone, but the neighbors soon shared his story with her.
It turns out, Houdini had recently lost his cherished human, and the owner’s family chose not to take him. Instead, they left him homeless and at the mercy of the streets.
“One neighbor told me his owner had died and the family let him go on the streets. I was devastated, and couldn’t stop thinking about him,” Amanda recounted in a TikTok post.
Heartbroken, Amanda was determined to help this poor pup, but she faced a challenge—Houdini was wary of people.
Each time she tried to approach him, he would flee.
This compassionate woman, along with the entire community in New Orleans, devoted an entire week to rescuing Houdini (named after the famous escape artist) but faced consistent setbacks.
“We sat with him for a week to show him he would get food, affection, and love. However, he would run away whenever I attempted to put a leash on him. The whole neighborhood joined in, but nothing worked,” Amanda shared on TikTok.
Clearly still in shock from the loss of his owner, Houdini was afraid, hesitant, and distrustful of humans. He would only approach to eat the food left by neighbors, quickly darting away afterward.
That is, until one fateful day!
Once again, Amanda offered this neglected boy a tasty treat, and instead of running off, he lingered! After some gentle scratches on his back, she successfully placed a leash around his neck, and to her delight, he accepted it without protest.
The Power Of Kindness Beats Everything
Houdini’s rescuer was thrilled that he had finally chosen to trust her. She swiftly brought him home and began searching for a solution.
Aware of the potential for euthanasia at the shelter, she sought a temporary home for Houdini while he regained his confidence and waited for his forever family. Despite the challenges, a miracle occurred when Danni Frank, a kind-hearted woman, stepped forward to foster Houdini.
The entire community rejoiced! Witnessing Houdini being taken into a loving environment after enduring the streets for so long was priceless.
Moreover, knowing he now has someone to care for him was simply incredible.
Today, Houdini has moved well beyond his grief. He’s thriving in a foster home and is brimming with excitement for what the future may bring. Most importantly, he can’t stop smiling!
“If this isn’t a testament to what time and patience can do for a grieving and abandoned life… Dogs are incapable of concealing their feelings,” Amanda concluded.
Once a sorrowful dog, betrayed by many, Houdini is now a revitalized pup, ready to begin a new chapter in his life!
