By Madison Bendistis
Elm Staff Writer
This week’s column featuring adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Kent County is a doubleheader, or, a doublepetter. Meet Bert and Ernie, two male three-year-old beagles who recently arrived at the HSKC together.
“They were put in our drop room, and it’s taken a while for me to even get them to [take a walk]. They were horribly afraid,” said Kennel Technician Eric Reynolds. Unfortunately, not much is known about the pasts of these gentle dogs. When they were first dropped off, Bert and Ernie were nearly feral, to the point where, “if we were to put them into that little yard they would actually crawl inside of the pallets,” Reynolds said. Although all of the kennel techs at the shelter adore the process of training dogs, only Reynolds was able and willing to work with the beagles to get them comfortable around people.
“Over like two weeks I’ve managed to get them to do this, but obviously they’re still afraid…they’re two sensitive guys, but they’re warming up fast,” Reynolds said.
Bert, the darker colored dog of the two, and Ernie are similar in personality; both dogs are initially skittish, but are soon eager for affection. Because these two dogs have been through an unlucky history together, “a nice home to go to together would be awesome,” Reynolds said.
The HSKC does not want to separate the dogs. “They’re just nice little dogs. They just need someone to spend time with them to get them more used to people,” Reynolds said.
Potential owners should also be aware that Bert and Ernie need “someone who has a bit of patience to work with them a bit more, which is not much. Really working with them just means continue walking them, just hang out with them, that’s it,” Reynolds said. As two dogs that have not had the brightest past, Bert and Ernie deserve an owner who will provide them with all of the love that they deserve. Both Bert and Ernie are housebroken, get along well with other dogs, and would likely be fine with cats.
If anyone in the Chestertown community, WC faculty and staff members, or even students with families are interested in rescuing this dynamic duo, please contact the Humane Society at 410-778-3648 or by emailing info@kenthumane.org.

