Stepping into a dog shelter can be a lot to take in, with countless hopeful faces gazing out from behind kennel doors, every pup silently hoping for a bit of kindness or a gentle touch.
Some dogs wait for hours, others for days or even weeks, longing for someone to see them, to pause long enough to share a little affection or even a brief hello that could lift their spirits.
At the Brooklyn ACC shelter, one especially clever pup figured out a creative way to make sure she didn’t fade into the background.
Barbie’s Playful Approach
Barbie, a six-month-old beauty both inside and out, arrived at the Animal Care Center (ACC) in Brooklyn, New York after being surrendered. Her previous owners had to give her up due to a landlord complaint and the difficulty of caring for two puppies of the same age simultaneously.
Shelter records describe her as “friendly, affectionate, sometimes fearful, and high energy,” reflecting both her outgoing and sensitive sides.
Rather than let her circumstances bring her down, Barbie devised a charming, playful tactic to attract the attention of anyone walking past her kennel.
The clever pup would extend her small paws through the bars of the kennel, inviting visitors to pause and engage in play. This behavior quickly became her signature move and a hallmark of her personality.
Boroughbred in Brooklyn, shared, “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 did not take long for Barbie to capture the hearts of both staff members and volunteers alike.
Manisha Shah, a volunteer at ACC, 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.”
Barbie’s bright expression, combined with her lively and affectionate personality, convinced everyone who met her that she would not be waiting long for a loving family.
A Joyful Transition
Boroughbred in Brooklyn shared a video on Instagram capturing Barbie’s unique habit of pawing through the bars to ask for interaction, a move that quickly charmed viewers online.
The clip went viral, drawing in adoption inquiries from all over.
Shah shared with The Dodo, “She was adopted fast! One of our followers saw our post and went to the shelter and adopted her quickly!”
Barbie soon left the shelter to begin her new life in New York City with her forever family. She now enjoys days filled with affection, care, and the attention she has always deserved.
Her new owners even created an Instagram account, @barbie_berry_cute, to share updates on her daily adventures. They chose to keep her name Barbie, as it suited her personality perfectly and she responded to it naturally.
From her first birthday celebration to her playful daily activities, Barbie’s life is now rich with joy, and her followers can witness every step of her journey online.