Are you ready for some football?! The season opener is on Monday, September 14, when our Denver Broncos play the Kansas City Chiefs! To celebrate the return of Football Season, we’re sharing a story from our most recent edition of Pet Tales! Much like us, Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton and his wife, Sam, just had a very momentous year. In addition to an extraordinary season that saw our favorite team win the AFC West for the first time since 2015, Alex and Sam grew their family by two – first came their adorable daughter, Tallyn, and then, last fall, they adopted a sweet, subtly spotted pittie from Humane Colorado. They named her Bee. Sadly, however, last year’s happiness also came with great heartbreak when the couple lost their beloved Blu, a dog who had been with them since the day they first met – and Sam long before that. Saying goodbye to Blu in July was not only difficult for Sam and Alex, but for their other dog, Bennie. The sudden absence of her companion, combined with the natural shifts that go hand in hand with a newborn, hit Bennie hard. “Bennie only lived with our daughter for five months when Blue passed,” said Alex, with Sam adding, “You could just tell she was so sad.” Alex and Sam’s dog, Bennie Bennie is known for her “chill” and perhaps overly patient nature, traits that endear her to her family and everyone she meets. But these qualities also made Sam and Alex worry that, without another dog to keep her company during the hustle of football and new parenthood, Bennie might feel lonely or even decline. Bennie needed a friend. I think everyone needs a friend. This is when the couple began to seriously consider adopting another dog. As longtime fans of pit bulls, they knew they wanted to share their lives with another. Their [pit bulls] personalities are the best,” said Sam. Alex agreed, saying, “I love that they are super athletic, but then again, when you sit on the couch, they just want to cuddle you.” In November, shortly before Thanksgiving, the couple came to our Denver shelter, ready to meet the next pittie who would soon capture their hearts. When they first saw Bee (then known as Snowflake), she was sleeping quietly in her kennel, with a half-eaten bowl of kibble by her side. For Alex, this was a sign that she could be calm and control her instincts – two safety musts when sharing a home with a baby. And then, when they all met with one of our adoption counselors, Bee demonstrated her gentleness by slowly and lovingly approaching Tallyn. This interaction, plus Bennie and Bee’s mutual approval of each other the next day, officially sealed the deal. “It was an awesome experience,” Alex shared. Alex and Sam Singleton stopped by after Bee’s adoption to drop off donations and snuggle a few adoptable puppies! Almost instantly, Bee seemed to settle in with her newfound pack. And over the past several months, she has made herself right at home, leading a newly mobile Tallyn around the house and “vacuuming” her discarded crumbs, bonding with Bennie and helping her playful side shine, and snuggling at night with Alex and Sam. “You can catch a paw from almost anywhere, and she just dead weights you,” said Alex, with a glint of respect in his voice. “Or if you stand somewhere for too long, she’ll sit on your feet!” Sam said. “She has no boundaries with the two of us… or with Bennie.” Bee’s boundless, loving energy has given everyone in the family a fresh sense of joy, as well as distraction from life’s varied worries. “That’s the best part about her, I would say,” shared Alex. No matter what any of us are going through, you know you’re going to get some Bee snuggles. Both parents are also grateful for the sweet relationship that she and Tallyn have formed. “It’s funny, whenever Bee is lying on the floor, our daughter likes to point at the little spots on her paw pads,” said Sam, with Alex joking, “I feel like a 1-year-old kid and a 1-year-old puppy are really about the same.” There’s one more remarkable thing that Alex and Sam have noticed since adoption day. Sometimes when you’re gazing at Bee or petting her head, and the angle is just right, you can see that one of her eyes appears half white and half blue. Almost as if she’s embodying a little bit of Blu, the boy they will love forever. Almost as if they were all, always, destined to be together. “Shelter and rescues dogs, like Bee and Bennie, are looking for their new homes, and I think everyone should give them that opportunity because they deserve it so much. If you give a dog love, they’re going to give it right back to you.” – Alex Singleton We are grateful to the Singletons for adopting Bee, helping her thrive, and giving so generously to support the animals still waiting for a family of their own. Whether you’re looking for a new dog, cat, small pet, or equine to love, you’re always welcome at Humane Colorado. Share Facebook TikTok Instagram
