8-Year-Old Beagle Spending First Christmas with New Family After Being Rescued from Neglected Home (Exclusive)
“We’re so happy to have Copper joining our family, especially at Christmas,” said one of his new owners, who happens to be a PETA staffer
PETA
Copper spending Christmas with his new owners Daniel Paden (left) and Katherine Sullivan.One happy beagle is bundling up and spending a warm and cozy Christmas with his new family this holiday season.
Meet Copper, an 8-year-old beagle who was recently adopted by PETA staffers Katherine Sullivan and Daniel Paden ahead of their first holiday as newlyweds. In these exclusive photos and a new PETA video obtained by PEOPLE, the young beagle can be seen spending a warm and festive Christmas indoors.
“We’re so happy to have Copper joining our family, especially at Christmas,” Paden says in the video, while Sullivan adds, “He’s part of the family and we just can’t wait to snuggle, and go on road trips, and we’re just really looking forward to a wonderful, cozy, safe, loving future with him.”
PETA
Copper enjoying Christmas with his new family.But Copper’s story wasn’t always so warm and fuzzy. According to PETA, the pup was found chained to a fence, soaking wet and shivering in the cold. But a phone call from an anonymous good samaritan changed everything for the little beagle.
After the tipster alerted the Twin County Humane Society in Galax, Va., PETA was notified of the situation and rushed out to the scene and found Copper emaciated and plagued with parasites. The organization estimates that he was unattended and tethered, likely for months.
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According to Copper’s background story exclusively sent to PEOPLE, law enforcement was also contacted after his owner understood that she would face a criminal cruelty-to-animals charge and the neglected pup was signed over to PETA.
Copper immediately received veterinary care and was placed in a qualified foster home before he was quickly adopted by Sullivan and Paden. His two new owners aren't his only family, either. It appears he also has some feline family members, too.
PETA
Copper snoozing.Related: Rescuers Save Neglected Dog 'Chained Outside 24/7' and Help the Pup Recover and Find Love
“Unfortunately, there are tens of thousands, if not more dogs just like Copper left outside and it’s important that we do everything we can for them especially in the cold weather to bring them inside. They just want to curl up with us," says Paden. “He’ll celebrate his first holiday indoors, in the warmth and all the love we can possibly give him and all the love of our cats as well.”
During the heartwarming conclusion of the video, the prancing pooch can be seen spending a wonderful white Christmas with his two new owners. Copper is clearly warm, loved, and enjoying all the bright and colorful Christmas festivities his new home offers.
He’s even seen snacking on some holiday treats, tearing open his own gift-wrapped presents, and all tuckered out in his very own Christmas blanket.
“The weather outside might be frightful, but inside it’s so delightful for Copper at last, all thanks to one caring person who spoke up when they saw an animal in need,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA urges everyone to never be silent and make that lifesaving call as this kind person did, to help ensure that dogs like Copper are given the comfort and joy that they deserve.”
Read the original article on People
