Caring Volunteer Hosts Valentine's Day Sleepover For Homeless LI Pup

LONG ISLAND, NY — A caring Long Island shelter volunteer gave a homeless shelter pup a Valentine's Day to remember.

For years, Valerie Sanks, who volunteers at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, has devoted her life to giving back to homeless dogs. She hosts sleepovers for the dogs to shower them with affection, has planned birthday parties and car rides, helped a dying dog realize her bucket list of dreams, and organized blanket drives. Once, she papered the walls with donated $1 bills to give shelter dog kiddie pools and relief from sweltering summer heat. And then, to honor the late Betty White, Sanks organized a special sleepover last year for Cerina, a sweet senior dog.

This year, she hosted a sweet Valentine’s Day sleepover for Dougie, a shelter dog from the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.

"My sweet boy doesn’t even know about his sleepover," Sanks said before the event. "We have been keeping this a surprise. We have messages of love sent from all over, from animal lovers. The messages came from Canada, Florida, North Carolina, and even England."

According to a post by the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, Dougie had been adopted but the family experienced a tragedy and had to bring him back.

He is 64 pounds, about 9 years old, up to date on vaccinations, neutered, microchipped and heartworm negative.

"He is only asking for a home to call his own, a bed to curl up in, and a human to share his life with," the post said. "He is looking for a fresh start, another chance. Dougie is as sweet as they come, a real cuddle bug, with tons of love to share with you."

Dougie, the shelter said, loves to run and exercise, can perform on agility equipment, loves a good game of ball and rides in the car, especially to the drive-thru for a Starbucks Pupachino or a burger.

Dougie will do well as the only pet in a home and needs a secure, 6-foot fenced-in backyard. He is housebroken, knows how to sit and stay, is crate trained, and walks well on a leash.

"We really can't say enough about what an affectionate, loving guy he is," the shelter said.

Local businesses teamed up to help with donations for the sleepover, which was slated to take place at a La Quinta hotel, "to make this Valentine's Day even more special for the humans that are giving up Valentine’s Day to spend with the shelter dog," Sanks said.

Donations included "amazing, delicious, chocolate treats, a yummy charcuterie board, and then, of course, a heart-shaped pizza," Sanks said.

The charcuterie board was donated by a woman named Diandra, Sanks said.

"I donated because I believe it's a great cause," Diandra said. "It’s important to give back to the community, even the furry one. Animals bring so much joy to people — it’s important to give them everything we can while they wait for their forever homes."

The sweet treats were donated by Christine Garcia Alioto, and the sleepover itself was sponsored by Josephine Liassi, Sanks said. The pizza was also donated.

When asked what prompted her to give a valentine of love to the pup, Sanks said: "I have been one of Dougie’s volunteer for a while now, and I just love him so. He has an amazing gift to make you feel like you are the most important person, so that is why I decided that on this Valentine’s Day I wanted to know just how much we love him."

She added that she wants to find Dougie the "furrever home that every shelter baby dreams of."

For now, she said, on Valentine's night, the night of love, "Dougie is going to be surrounded by people that love him — from volunteers, staff members and friends."

Her hope is that hearts will open to find Dougie his new family. "Dougie is asking to be your one and only fur baby," she said.

For information on adopting Dougie, contact the Brookhaven Animal Shelter, located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven, or call 631-451-6950.

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