What are the chances of discovering a dog that resembles your cherished pet completely? If you ever encountered one, would you take him in?
Danielle Geffel found herself in a similar predicament when she got a notification about an adoptable dog in Maryland that looks just like her furry friend.
The moment she viewed the picture, Geffel realized she needed to welcome that canine into her home.
Twins Born At Distinct Times
Danielle Geffel and her partner from Baltimore, Maryland, were elated with their little Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, named Barkley. They had no intentions of bringing home another dog until Geffel received an intriguing message.
One of her TikTok followers told Geffel about a dog that bore an uncanny resemblance to Barkley, hoping she might consider adopting him.
The pup was situated at Maryland SPCA – a shelter already at full capacity, practically pleading with the community to adopt adult dogs as well.
This merely simplified Geffel’s choice, prompting her to reach out to her spouse, Mike, to inform him about the pending adoption of Barkley’s “twin.”
Charlie, the new addition, had numerous similarities with Barkley, making it difficult to believe these two were not somehow related.
Of course, the likelihood of them being twins was out of the question, as Barkley was 13 years old, whereas Charlie was merely two to three.
Nevertheless, Geffel felt convinced that the two pups were connected in some form, given their resemblance and even parallel behaviors. As Geffel expressed to The Dodo:
“Aside from weighing exactly the same, they both display shaggy coats of lemon and white, elongated bodies and snouts, outward-turned front paws, and are perpetually smiling and wagging their tails.”
A Dog Of Divorced Pet Parents
Barkley enjoys a wonderful life with his guardians, who provide him with endless love and warmth. He was a stray discovered in Atlanta. Geffel shared in the interview:
“He wasn’t microchipped or neutered, had no understanding of commands, and wasn’t housebroken, but he was the happiest dog we had ever encountered.”
However, with ample effort and patience from Geffel, Barkley blossomed into a joyful yet compliant dog.
In contrast, Charlie’s situation was different – he was surrendered to the Maryland SPCA by his owners who underwent a divorce.
Charlie was in quite a deplorable condition. The rescue center noted he suffered from multiple infections and had scabs scattered across his body. Official reports indicated that Charlie was confined for nearly sixteen hours a day and had been thoroughly neglected.
Geffel confirmed this in one of her TikTok videos as well:
“Our veterinarian classified his ear and skin infections as chronic, stating that it was evident he had been suffering from them for a significant period.”
Thus, while it may not have been easy for Charlie to be forsaken by his prior guardians, it appears that this outcome was indeed a blessing in disguise.
Charlie And Barkley, An Unforeseen Union
The two canines clicked instantly, causing Geffel to feel even more elated, knowing she had made the right decision.
One of the first observations she made was a shift in Barkley’s demeanor, as he grew more playful and vivacious since the arrival of his new friend.
“Barkley has amazed us in the most positive way with his eagerness to run, play, and stir up mischief with Charlie. Whether they’re goofing around in the yard, tugging at a shared toy, or exchanging affectionate kisses, they have become fast companions.”
The duo appears to be the ultimate pairing, and Geffel couldn’t be more satisfied with her instinctive choice to adopt Charlie.
She mentioned to The Dodo that she intends to evaluate her dogs using Wisdom Panel or Embark, so she can discover more about Charlie’s background, and also ascertain whether the two canines are genuinely related or not.
Regardless of the outcomes, I’m certain that Barkley and Charlie will share an extraordinary connection for life, all thanks to their guardian, Danielle Geffel.