Pet of the Week puts a spotlight on a furry friend who is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society at the time of the article’s publication. According to ASPCA, dog adoption numbers are down nationwide, which adds additional strain on shelters that are already struggling to accommodate high volumes of animals. Lawrence Humane is no exception.
Through Pet of the Week, readers can learn about a pup before they visit the shelter. The featured furball is selected by shelter staff members, who provide all details on the animal’s personality and history.
Elina Alterman, chief development officer with the shelter, knows that it will take a special person to adopt perfectly snuggly Charli and Bo — but they’ll be rewarded with double the doggy love.
Charli and Bo are 11-year-old pitbull mixes and littermates.
“Bo and Charli are essentially one dog in two bodies,” Alterman wrote via email.
Charli, the sister, and Bo, the brother, have been bonded since they were pups, and they’ve only lived in one home their whole lives. Their owner adopted them from the humane society when they were 8 weeks old but had to surrender them recently because they’re moving.
Since Charli and Bo share a soul, they need to be adopted together. It’s already tough enough for the shelter to find homes for senior dogs, bonded pairs and pitbulls. Needless to say, Charli and Bo have the odds stacked against them.
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“It breaks my heart that they’ve only ever known one home their whole lives, and now at 11 years old they are in the loud, scary animal shelter,” Alterman wrote. “They should be enjoying their retirement years in a safe, comfortable setting where they are being doted on. And that’s why we need a really special adopter (or even foster!) to step up for them!”
She said adopting two super senior dogs can feel daunting, but as someone who regularly adopts senior dogs, she vouched for the joy and love that comes from helping a senior pooches live out their lives with dignity.
Alterman said the shelter doesn’t have a lot of information about Charli and Bo, so she and Ashley Rice-Keen, LHS’ community engagement coordinator, took the two out for a day out on the town. Rice-Keen captured the adventure on video, which can be seen at this link.
“Bo and Charli were an absolute dream!” Alterman wrote.
They were excellent car-riders and leash-walkers, so the shelter staff members felt that one person could walk them simultaneously. Considering their age, they did need a boost to get in the car — each dog is about 40 pounds. Alterman and Rice-Keen suspect they’re house-trained.
Bo and Charli were charmers with anyone who stopped to say hi, including young children, never jumping on anyone. Together, they masterfully handled eager, leashed dogs who wanted to greet them.
After walking six blocks, they were ready to conk out.
“They definitely don’t seem like they’re 11 year old seniors, but they’re not super energetic young pups either,” Alterman wrote. “They are the perfect energy level for mature adult dogs.”
Folks can meet Charli and Bo without committing to adoption by taking them on a Mass Street Mutts outing. Sign up at this link.
Charli and Bo are spayed and neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and don’t have any medical issues. Their joint adoption fee is $50.
Pet of the Week stars and where they are now
Eudora transplant Falkner, speckle-tongued Ruby, and Bellamy with her boopable nose have all been adopted.
These furry friends could use a foster or forever home:
• Squishy-faced Azalea blooms when she’s not cooped up in a kennel.
• Jasper is a pup who’s ready to take a roadtrip or a nap.
• Flycatcher is a shepherd mix who lives up to his name.
These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:
• Rocket is an out-of-this-world snuggler.
• Unflappable brindle shepherd mix Cardi B. is not the drama.
• Kiba is a gentle giant thriving in foster care while waiting for an adopter.
Those interested in adopting Charli and Bo can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at adoptions@lawrencehumane.org or call 785-843-6835.
People can also go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet them. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. People can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to a know a dog before adopting.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at foster@lawrencehumane.org and fill out an application here. The Lawrence Humane Society provides foster parents with all necessary supplies and food, and they cover bills for medical care, behavioral support and more.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at wulfe@lawrencekstimes.com.
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
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Jeanine Michna-Bales
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