If you’ve ever visited a crowded shelter, you know how overwhelming it can feel trying to divide your attention among all the dogs behind kennel bars.
Each one spends their days longing for someone to stop and notice them.
At the Brooklyn ACC shelter, though, one clever pup came up with her own special trick to make sure people paused at her door.
Barbie, a six-month-old beauty with an equally lovely personality, instantly stole the hearts of everyone she met.
Barbie’s Clever Way Of Stealing Hearts
At the Animal Care Center (ACC) in Brooklyn, New York, a sweet young dog named Barbie decided she would take control of her future and work toward finding her forever family.
She had been surrendered by her former owner after a landlord complaint and the difficulty of caring for two puppies the same age.
Her previous family described her as “friendly, affectionate, sometimes fearful, and high energy.”
Still just a puppy, Barbie quickly figured out a way to make people stop at her kennel and play.
Whenever someone walked by, she would stretch her paws through the kennel bars, instantly drawing their attention and convincing them to engage with her.
Brooklyn’s ACC shelter (Boroughbred in Brooklyn) posted about Barbie on their Instagram, “Barbie greets me in her kennel with her butt in the air, tippy tapping, and hoping it’s her turn to get a break from her kennel (…) She stretches her paws through the kennel bars to play pattycake, and that seals the deal.”
It didn’t take long for the staff and volunteers to fall in love with her playful spirit.
ACC volunteer, Manisha Shah, told The Dodo, “She loved hopping around in the yard, pouncing on balls and stuffed toys, being snuggly with us on the bench, and we loved how curious she was about everything.”
With her charm and energy, everyone believed it wouldn’t take long for Barbie to find her family.
Adopted Into A Loving Home
Boroughbred in Brooklyn later posted a video of Barbie and her adorable pattycake habit, sharing her story with followers.
The post quickly gained attention, and applications to adopt her began pouring in.
Shah told The Dodo, “She was adopted fast! One of our followers saw our post and went to the shelter and adopted her quickly!”
Barbie left the shelter and went home with her new family in New York City, where she enjoys being spoiled, loved, and taken care of.
Her adopters even created an Instagram account for her (@barbie_berry_cute) to share updates about her life.
They decided to keep her name, explaining that “Barbie” suited her personality perfectly and she responded to it best.
Now, fans can follow along to see how she celebrated her first birthday and what fun she gets into next.