As pointed out by the Sunday Express (via the Daily Mail), the German Shepherd that played Sirius Black's animagus (or, animal form) is up for adoption in Britain, as his owner, stuntman Paul Thompson, can no longer take care of him.
I found myself spending a lot of time away from home," Thompson told The Sunday Express. "The dogs needed more attention then I could give. It was a difficult decision to make but one I had to accept was best for the dogs."
In a cute "personal essay" written on his adoption agency's website, Berry describes life with two foster parents and the desire to find a permanent home alongside his best friend, Porridge. He's also very humble.
"I am a German Shepherd and my Dad got me as a puppy," it reads. "He did lots of exciting things like being a stunt man and animal training for films. That’s probably how I got my part. I love people and my best friend is Porridge who is 13 human years and who I live with. Porridge has also been in some films. Both of us are a bit wobbly in our older years but we still love life."
On the organization’s website, Berry’s bio reads: “My Dad contacted German Shepherd Dog Rescue because he realized he didn’t have the time to look after us properly anymore. His work takes him away from home an awful lot and whilst his friends and family tried to help look after us, we weren’t getting the walks or brushes we were used to.”
“They’re very classy animals,” O’Brien said of Berry and his pal Porridge. “Very quiet, well-behaved.”
Ever since the U.K.’s Sunday Express first publicized the dogs’ plight, O’Brien said, “Berry has been offered so many homes it’s unbelievable.”
Lizzy Brown, one of the organization’s dog coordinators, estimates at least 100 people have offered to take the dogs so far, many of them from the United States.
But it’s more likely this pair will find a home in the U.K.
“At their age we wouldn’t consider shipping them overseas,” Brown said.
Both pooches have a condition called chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, or CDRM, which makes it difficult for them to walk, but “Berry’s not nearly as bad,” said Brown. “He just needs to build his muscle up and lose some weight.”
O’Brien anticipates even more adoption offers on Monday after Berry and Porridge appear on the Alan Titchmarsh Show, a British daytime talk show.
“We will obviously vet every home that comes in, and hopefully, we will find a good home,” she said.
German Shepherd Rescue currently has 400 unpaid volunteers throughout the U.K., and at least 150 dogs looking for loving homes. Those interested in adopting can visit the website and fill out an adoption form.
For Berry, Porridge and all the German Shepherds available for adoption, there are a few criteria that must be met before the rescue agency approves the dog’s new family:
The dogs may not live with children under 7 years old
No apartments
The dogs should not be in any situation where they are left for more than four hours on their own, because the breed is subject to anxiety
“People perceive [German Shepherds] to be quite vicious,” O’Brien said, but when they’re barking, “they’re often talking to you, telling what they want, thinking you understand them.”
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