Petland Team Surprises Child with an Unforgettable Birthday and a New Best Friend

FAIRFIELD, OH – In a heartwarming celebration, the staff of Petland Fairfield created an unforgettable birthday for a youngster whose family had experienced a year of heartbreak. The manager and staff of Petland Fairfield recently turned the little girl’s birthday into a heartwarming celebration that will be remembered for years to come.

On what began as a simple birthday visit to their local Petland to play with puppies, seven-year-old Bernadette, affectionately known as Bea, found a new friend—and much more. Accompanied by her mother, Dierdre, Bea’s birthday wish was to spend the day surrounded by puppies. While Bea’s mom had “no intention of purchasing a pet,” their day took a joyful turn when the child met a charming, red-colored Cavapoo, with whom there was an instant connection.

However, this wasn’t just a story of puppy love. This birthday marked the end of a long and painful year for Bea and her family. Nearly one year earlier, she unexpectedly lost her father. Then 30 days later, her grandmother passed away. To compound the heartbreak, the family’s dog, and Bea’s close companion had to return to her brother, stationed far from home with the military. Within weeks, Bea lost three cherished figures in her life.

“This has been a very difficult year for our family, especially Bea,” said Dierdre. So, when her daughter requested a trip to play with puppies for her seventh birthday, Dierdre didn’t hesitate.

Seeing her daughter’s joy when meeting and engaging with the Cavapoo, Dierdre quietly began working with Petland Fairfield’s General Manager, Lisa Miller to surprise Bea with the new puppy. As they navigated the process, Dierdre shared Bea’s story with Miller, explaining the emotional significance of the puppy.

“When Bea’s mom told me about Bea losing her dad a year earlier, near her birthday, I knew we had to make this day special for her,” said Miller. While finalizing the application process, Miller suggested mother and daughter visit a large retailer located next door to pass the time. When they returned to Petland Fairfield, the pair was greeted by a heartwarming surprise: Lisa and her staff welcomed Bea with balloons, a birthday sash, and most importantly, the red Cavapoo in her arms.

Bea was crowned “Birthday Queen for the Day” at Petland Fairfield, and Dierdre, a former Petland skeptic, said she was moved by the kindness and generosity of the staff. “They went above and beyond for my daughter; and they didn’t have to,” she said. “I see the good that Petland does for people in its communities.”

The Cavapoo, now named Big Red, holds a name inspired by Bea’s Nebraska roots. The tiny pup quickly settled into his new home, enjoying playtime and providing daily joy to Bea. Thanks to the compassionate efforts of Miller and her team at Petland Fairfield, Bea’s seventh birthday was transformed into a celebration of love, healing, and new beginnings. With more love to give, the family recently added another canine companion, Oreo, whom they met at Petland Mason.

Contact:
Maria Smith, Communications Director
maria.smith@petlandinc.com,
740-775-2464

Petland, Inc. is a specialty pet retail franchise operation with nearly 250 global locations. For nearly 60 years, Petland pet counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.