Cristina Guerra founded Legacy of Hope in 2011. It started when Guerra adopted a black lab, Hope, who was her buddy for seven years. Hope suddenly passed away in 2009, and the rescue was named in honor of her.

She said she had a knack for finding lost or stray dogs and would bring them home to try to find their owners. 

"If no owner was found, then I would find them homes," Guerra said. "Eventually, there were too many to keep at my house, and boarding is both expensive and does not allow a dog to transition to home life. I needed help. I started Legacy of Hope out of my house in 2011, and over time, we have grown to a network of volunteers and fosters."

Legacy of Hope is a nonprofit dog rescue. There are no employees, and all donations go to the care of the dogs. The dogs are in foster homes or boarding. Guerra said they prefer foster homes so the dogs learn what life in a home is like. This allows the fosters to learn about the dog's needs and personality. Guerra said their goal is not to have the most adoptions but to have the right ones.

Guerra joined Alyssa Miller on the Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch, along with Artemis, a mastiff mix, and Dudley, a bassador.

Artemis was pregnant when she was pulled from a rural shelter in 2016. After all eight of her puppies found homes, she found her family but was turned into another shelter. Guerra found out and worked with other shelters to get Artemis transported back to Oklahoma. Artemis is 11 years old and is looking for a loving family where she can live out her remaining years.

"She is very smart and always happy," Guerra said. "She is great with people and dogs. She is not a fan of cats."

Image Provided By: Christina Guerra

Guerra said Dudley is loving, cuddly, sweet, and charming. He loves treats, couch time, and walk time. Dudley is kennel-trained and potty-trained. 

"He loves sleeping with his people," Guerra said. "He needs a 6-foot fence and prefers his doggy buddies to be female. He also has a prey drive, so no small animals. I would say he is tall, dark, and handsome, but he has short, stubby legs."

Image Provided By: Christina Guerra

Guerra said they urgently need foster families. They will provide kennels, food, and cover veterinary care through veterinarians who work with them.

"The most common thing I hear is 'I could never foster; I would not let the dog go'," Guerra said. "I have fostered so many puppies and dogs, and I did not keep them all. You may become attached to the dogs, and it may be sad at times to let each one go, but the thrill of finding the best home is such an accomplishment. The feeling of knowing you saved a life and helped to form a family I amazing. There will be some that are harder to let go than others, but you let them go. If you are lucky, then you receive messages and photos of how the dog's life is now."

They always welcome donations like Purina and Pedigree puppy food, Purina One and Pedigree adult food, kennels, and donations for spay/neuter, heartworm medications, and flea and tick medications.

Legacy of Hope has adoptions at Petsmart in Broken Arrow every Saturday and will be at Woofstock on September 21.

For more information, you can visit their website as well as their Facebook and Instagram pages.