CAC and the 'Seven Dwarfs'
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 day, 11 hours AGO
Companions Animal Center staff hold seven puppies on Thursday. From left, Casey Whaley and Doc, Alli Tomlinson and Grumpy, Sarah Pennington and Sneezy, Brit Ford and Happy, Hillary Darty and Dopey, Brandy Brumbaugh and Sleepy, and Chris Orr and Bashful. Doc was the best in getting his picture taken. Grumpy and Sneezy just wanted to kiss each other Happy was really happy. Dopey is the heaviest Sleepy would have fallen asleep in her arms and Bashful clearly is not bashful.
Photo courtesy Vicky Nelson
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | June 5, 2026 1:08 AM
Snow White is not at Companions Animal Center.
But the seven dwarfs are.
Doc, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful and Sneezy all arrived at the shelter on Atlas Road in Hayden this week.
Surprisingly, they don’t really look anything alike, with some pretty big floppy ears, paws and short tails. Each is about 4 months old, weighs about 30 to 40 pounds, and is looking for a home.
And believe it or not, they all have good dispositions. No grumps in the bunch.
“They’re so friendly,” said Vicky Nelson, CAC development director, on Thursday.
Naturally.
The colorful canines came to CAC from the same litter, Nelson said. Their mother is a mixed breed of terrier, American Staffordshire/retriever and labrador mix, which explains the wide range of unique pups. The father remains a mystery.
“Neither one looks like the other,” Nelson said.
They ended up at the shelter after the owner called and asked if they could take the mom and her litter. She could no longer keep them.
“Fortunately, we had room,” Nelson said.
They've settled in well and seem quite happy with their new living quarters.
As for the legendary monikers bequeathed to them, Nelson said when a dog comes to CAC, if it has a name, it generally keeps it. If not, staff comes up with one.
“We just think of them off the top of our heads,” Nelson said, laughing.
They try to avoid common dog names, like Shadow, Max and Charlie. As there were seven puppies, someone joked about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Done.
The names even seemed to fit each pup's personality.
“So, there you go,” Nelson said.
The pups are expected to be available for adoption soon.
There is just one problem.
When it comes to the Seven Dwarfs at CAC, there is no easy answer to this age-old question: “Magic Mirror on the Wall, who is the fairest one of all?”
Impossible to say.
“They’re all so stinking cute,” Nelson said.
CAC is hosting a free "Woofstock, A Music Festival," from noon to 6 p.m. on July 3. It aims to bring people together for music, connection and celebration. Businesses, nonprofits and food vendors are invited to participate at no charge.
"The goal is bigger than one organization, it’s about uniting our community around a shared purpose," a press release said. "Together, we can strengthen the bonds that help our neighbors, organizations, and local businesses grow and thrive."
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CAC and the 'Seven Dwarfs'
Shelter puppies given names that fit their personalities
The colorful canines came to CAC from the same litter, Nelson said. Their mother is a mixed breed of terrier, American Staffordshire/retriever and labrador mix, which explains the wide range of unique pups. The father remains a mystery.
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