The minute I saw her face on the Gloucester County Facebook page on June 4, I knew I was in love. Holly had stolen my heart and I just had to have her in my life. Four days later, she was mine.

Holly is a tri-colored beagle that had been staying at Gloucester Animal Control, which is located next to the convenience center, just south of Gloucester Court House.

She was also 8 or 9 years old, which may have made her less adoptable in the eyes of some people. It’s much easier to adopt a puppy than it is to find a home for a “senior” dog. Puppies are naturally cute and cuddly. Like all newborns, they have been genetically predisposed to be lovable, so that they will be taken care of. After all, who can resist those big puppy eyes staring up at you?

While puppies are adorable, they are also a great deal of work. They demand constant attention, want to chew everything in sight and require a great deal of training and patience. Holly had been through all that, I’m...