Newkirk’s quirks

Newkirk Road was named out of respect for a dog that, had he been able to talk, probably would have said something like, "You'd better name a road after me or I'm going to get into a rumble and refuse to eat my food." 

Newkirk was a scrappy little Red Heeler mix dog that liked to pick fights with other dogs. He may have just been a little guy, but he had a big bully streak in him. And that's why for many years he lived out his life on "The Hill" the place for dogs who didn't get along with other dogs.

He came to Best Friends as a rambunctious little puppy but throughout his life, he went through some amazing transformations. Best Friends thought it only fitting to name a road after a pooch who transitioned from young, aggressive bully to wise, all-accepting senior dog.  

Despite Newkirk's quirks, the Best Friends staff loved him. And he loved them right back. He enjoyed going on walks with caregivers, playing with humans and accepting the affections they bestowed on him.

In his later years, Newkirk developed arthritis and couldn't get around easily, so he was transferred to Old Friends. And somewhere along the line, he had evolved into a different animal altogether; he became a lover, not a fighter.

Colleen McMullen, executive assistant for the Best Friends Animal Care division, remembers Newkirk from her days working as a caregiver at Old Friends.

"He had become so mellow, Newkirk lived in what was referred to as the ‘Easy Run' at Old Friends because he could co-exist peacefully with dogs who were difficult to place," McMullen recalls.

"He went on a sleepover with some volunteers once. Apparently, he was really nervous being in new surroundings and did not enjoy the sleepover experience. So seeing him so happy to be back to his run at Old Friends, we knew he belonged at Best Friends. It was his home."

Newkirk passed away in 2005 and it seemed only fitting that a lifelong sanctuary resident should be remembered with his own road, which is near Old Friends in Dogtown Heights.

Written by Amy Abern

Photo by Troy Snow