Puppies and animals are commonly given as romantic birthday presents. After all, they are a sign of commitment, trust, and care, especially for animal lovers who’ve always dreamed of a specific pet. One man took this idea to another level. He didn’t provide just one forever home to an animal in need; he provided 40 in honor of his wife’s 40th birthday. And she couldn’t imagine a better gift from him.
A birthday present after the loss of a dog
Andrew and Jennifer Duhe had volunteered for over a year at the Chesapeake Animal Services adoption center. They have enjoyed spending time with the animals there as well as each other. “We have fun and it doesn’t just help the animals. I think it really helps us. It’s like a cheap, cost-effective alternative to marriage therapy,” Jennifer said jokingly. Their family also fostered more than a dozen animals over the past year.
The Duhe’s have been together for 10 years, and both work in the Navy. They are also pet owners themselves. However, in late 2024, one of their dogs named Sierra passed away. “We’re still kind of in the coping phase of losing, kind of unexpectedly a little bit, one of our own dogs,” Jennifer said to Wavy in November 2024. “I’ve had a kind of a hard time dealing with that.”
As Jennifer’s 40th birthday grew closer, Andrew wanted to find a present that would help with the grief. “My wife’s love for animals is really, I’d say above and beyond,” he said. “Trying to find something that was meaningful and practical and everything. And as much work as we do here, it kind of hit close to home for us. We just wanted to really do something great and also to show how wonderful she is as a person too.”
$4,400 of adoption fees
So Andrew decided to pay the adoption fee for all of the 40 animals residing at Chesapeake Animal Services. “I had gotten with Miss Kasey, the volunteer coordinator, and I initially asked how many kennels we had,” he said to the Washington Post. “Conveniently, there are actually 40 dog kennels, so I thought it was fitting. 40 kennels and a 40th birthday, they went hand in hand…” Altogether, the adoption fees total $4,400 USD, including the costs of spaying, neutering, microchipping and vaccines for all of the dogs.
Kasey Gallardo, outreach coordinator for Chesapeake Animal Services, praises the couple for their efforts. “Ever since they walked in the door, they’ve been incredibly positive and they never say no,” she said. “Andrew will walk in and say ‘What can I fix?’” She was stunned to hear about his gift idea, and explains how it doesn’t just help 40 dogs. It helps 80, since an adoption means an empty kennel for another needy dog to occupy.
The best 40th birthday present
Andrew surprised Jennifer with the gift the day before her birthday because he was afraid she would find out about the surprise early. So that morning, he recruited their three children to help present the gift before Jennifer woke up. They were initially confused, thinking he had adopted 40 dogs that were coming to live with them. When Jennifer got up, she received a custom insulated mug that honored the memory of their recently deceased dog. Then she opened the birthday card. “I’m reading this beautiful note with lots of mushy love stuff, and at the bottom he’d written that he’d paid the adoption fees for 40 dogs,” she said. “I just cried and cried.”
Jennifer couldn’t think of a more meaningful present. “It is so nice to know that he just understood in my heart,” she said. “That’s what I value most, you know, and he’s supportive enough to even do a gesture like that, which was very big. And it just really meant a lot.” It brings her so much joy to imagine the love the dogs will bring to their families.
Shelter dogs deserve a second chance
Many people have hesitations about adopting from animal shelters. They assume the animals are old, sick, and have behavior issues. But this is often far from the truth, according to Virginia-Maryland Collegs of Veterinary Medicine. Shelters prioritize the health of the pets, and provide them with veterinary care, as well as vaccinations, spaying and neutering. Although some animals may need additional socialization and training, most are able to adjust and be caring companions. And finally, shelters home a wide variety of ages and breeds, including pure-breds, all of which with their own unique charm and personality.
Already, 17 adoptions were paid for and the Duhes hope the covered costs would help the pets find their forever homes sooner, while potentially leaving more money for their care. “I wish more people would come in. I just want them all to have homes,” Jennifer said. Her only concern is figuring out what to do for his upcoming birthday. “He hit the mark in a way that I’ll never be able to top.”
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