Posted November 5, 1999
Revised November 7, 2000

Barrett, as many have guessed, was named for Elizabeth Barrett Browning. His new family seemed charmed to know this. This beautiful boy looks like a teddy bear, and he is every bit as cuddly. What a lovebug. His story is sickening and sad, and it says a lot about the dark side of  human nature. Fortunately, things have changed for him.

Barrett's "family" was moving. What, then, to do with the cuddlebug dog who has been clearly a loving family companion all his life? Dump him, of course. What else? It makes my blood boil. People do this all the time. Evidently, the "family" thought they got lucky in the parking lot of the shelter. They found another "family" looking to adopt, and they said, "Hey, here's our cute dog. Take him." So the people did, with the understanding that Barrett was only one year old. Why not save a few bucks and the hassle of signing an adoption contract, right? 

So "Family" Number 2 took Barrett to their vet, who informed them that he was more like four or five years old, and horror of horrors, that was just "too old" for them to consider welcoming him into their lives. What lovely people. Not. So what to do with the adorable little dog who won their hearts in minutes on a windy parking lot? Well, take him back to the shelter, of course. And then get a puppy. Wonderful representations of the human race.

I am not sure which group of winners disgusts me more. I think would-be Family Number 2 has my vote, with Family Number 1 running close behind. These people would disclose nothing about Barrett or his former home. They did not even have the decency to tell us his name. The shelter, finding Barrett dumped on them when they were bursting at the seams, called us and said he was in a crate in one of their offices. We had to get him right away. Which, of course, we did.

I know I sound angry, and that is because I am angry. There is no excuse to treat animals this way. How can you fall in love with an animal one moment and find him unsuitable the next simply because you find he is a little older than you first believed? How can you leave your dog behind when you move away? And how can you dump your animals to face potential lethal injections in shelters? I will never understand.

Barrett is nothing short of wonderful. He is a dream dog, full of love and joy. He seems grateful to be alive. A lovely couple from Aberdeen, Maryland were able to appreciate his virtues as soon as they met him, and he is living happily ever after with them and his girlfriend, Sparkle. You must read her story to fully appreciate how generous these people truly are.

I am so pleased for this special, special dog. He is very much loved, as he should have been all along.

This page was written by
Valerie Macys
nancyk@CockerAdoption.org