Sibling Dogs Land in Shelter for Over a Year Due to Lack of ‘Brotherly Love’

Brother dogs Ozzy Pawsborne and Bark Wahlberg are named after famous people, but they do not get along famously.

According to Benton-Franklin Humane Society, the husky mixes arrived at the Washington shelter in May 2024 from a home where they were living together.

“They were surrendered to our shelter due to a fight that broke out between the two brothers,” Jennifer Pierce, BFHS’s development coordinator, tells PEOPLE, adding, “While they may be brothers by birth, they do not have brotherly love towards each other.”

Pierce noted that Ozzy and Bark’s case is not uncommon, and is an example of littermate syndrome, “a behavioral concern that can affect littermate siblings who are raised together; this can lead to concerns like codependence, separation anxiety, fear, and aggression towards other animals, people, and even each other.”

Unfortunately, the dangers of littermate syndrome can arise later in life, even if sibling dogs have lived “happily together for 5 years,” like Bark and Ozzy. After years of peace, the brother pups had a strong reaction to each other, which led to their former owner surrendering the dogs to BFHS.

Arriving at the shelter in May 2024, Ozzy and Bark have long since healed from the injuries left from their fight, but both dogs are still searching for their separate forever homes and are the dogs who’ve been at BFHS the longest. And while fighting is what might’ve landed the dogs at BFHS, Pierce says that both dogs are “wonderfully lovable” on their own.

“Ozzy Pawsbourne can be a very playful and energetic boy! His favorite activities are playing in the water, stuffed squeaky toys, car rides, and vanilla ice cream,” Pierce shares. “Bark Wahlberg is a loving but independent guy who enjoys car rides, going for runs, and giving his best model poses for the camera.”

With sweet personalities and stunning features, BFHS is surprised that both dogs are still searching for forever homes.

“There is no answer to why they have a hard time finding their forever homes! We only see the wonderful personality traits that we fell in love with the first day we had the pleasure of meeting them,” Pierce notes.

Both dogs were outside-only pets before moving into BFHS, which might make them a bit more stoic and stubborn than some other canines.

But Pierce is confident that “they would thrive in homes that are active, patient, and willing to give them the TLC they deserve to thrive in their new beginning.”

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The dogs, who are seeking separate homes, both adore snow and are 6 years old.

Those interested in adopting either dog and ending their over-year-long stay at BFHS, visit the organization’s website. Those unable to adopt at this time can still learn more about the shelter and how to support its life-saving work.