It Was Only Puppy Love

By Gabriel Pariente

As man’s best friends ran rampant around the top floor of the ASPCA’s adoption center in Manhattan, three-year old Ruby Cooney took the opportunity to get up close and personal with three lovable puppies.

The tot showed no fear petting, playing with and feeding the three-month olds named Cupcake, Brownie and Ganache, ignoring the throngs of media cameras, though she did initially fear receiving a hug from the world’s most famous beagle, Snoopy.

The puppies were joined by another dog named Peach as the ASPCA celebrated National-adopt-a- Shelter Dog Month with the cast of the upcoming Peanuts movie highlighted by Snoopy and his best pal Charlie Brown.

“It’s important that people know we have dogs still in shelters and they need to find a loving home,” said Arthur Hazelwood, senior director of the center.

Peach, a beagle-mix who’s nearly eight years old was the star dog that as she showed her playfulness by wagging her tail and posing for the cameras. She was later joined by Snoopy and the two shared some cute moments including a hug and kiss as Snoopy fed her.

However, they were upstaged by young Ruby when she nervously backed away from a Snoopy hug, before being reassured by her father and finally embracing the famous beagle.

She then moved to the front after the puppies were brought out by ASPCA trainers and spent the next few minutes giggling, petting and chasing the little ones.

Ruby even got on the ground to try and roll over with them, and then the puppies began to jump on her, before being taken back by their trainers.

“I like playing with them, they were licking me and giving me kisses,” she exclaimed afterwards.

As the puppies were being taken away, ASPCA Media manager Mallory Kerley called on people to step up and find a loving home for dogs like Peach, who deserve happiness.

“When you adopt a pet you save two lives, the dog you bring home and the one who can now come to the shelter. Not only are you saving a life, but your finding a new best friend,” she said.