The Voice of Local Utah
A local dog daycare has drawn outrage for refusing to accept transgender dogs, leaving pet owners heartbroken and the community divided. Veronica Blunt, mother to Coco—a transgender Golden Doodle with a penchant for sparkly collars and unicorn toys—was devastated when Paws and Paws Dog Daycare banned her beloved pet after a bold new purple dye…
by
Adelle Hassentropf
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Yes, this may sound absurd and utterly ridiculous, but according to an article published in the October 2024 issue of Canine Health Science, dogs, much like humans, are not restricted to just two genders. This groundbreaking research from Princetton University’s Animal Gender Studies department highlights that many animals identify differently from their biological sex. Unlike the human world, however, these animals are generally accepted by their peers without question or judgment.
Ph.D. student Hamal Radowsky, who spearheaded the study, suggests that this phenomenon may be increasing due to environmental pollution—particularly BPA found in plastics. Radowsky argues that while humans struggle to embrace diversity, the animal kingdom is far more accepting.
Not everyone is on board, though. Brad Peterson, owner of Paws and Paws Dog Daycare in Holladay, Utah, has made his stance abundantly clear: he refuses to accept transgender or even gay dogs at his facility. When approached for comment, Peterson declined an interview.
Veronica Blunt, a proud mom of Coco, a transgender Golden Doodle, was left in tears. Coco had been a regular at Paws and Paws since puppyhood, but everything changed in January. Coco, now two years old and assigned male at birth, began showing an affinity for pink, sparkly collars and rainbow bandanas. Unicorn toys became her preferred playthings, while frisbees and tennis balls were unceremoniously ignored.
The final straw came in February when Coco arrived at the daycare with her fur dyed a bold shade of purple. Peterson immediately called Blunt to pick up her dog, stating that Coco was no longer welcome.
Blunt is devastated. “Coco just wants to express herself and be accepted for who she is,” she sobbed. “Why should that matter when all she wants to do is play with her friends?”
While Paws and Paws remains firm in its policy, Coco continues to sport her purple coat proudly, rainbow bandana intact—proving that even if Utah isn’t ready for her, she’s more than ready for it.
*Editor’s Note: This article is a work of satire and is intended for entertainment and commentary purposes only. While it may reference real places or echo real events, the characters and situations are fictionalized for humor and reflection. At Utah Stories, we believe that sometimes the absurd reveals more truth than the facts alone.
*Photos from Angela Schoonover and Zoe Instagram
*April Fools’ Day story
Adelle Hassentropf
Adelle Hassentropf is a revered and eccentric figure in the world of journalism, known for her razor-sharp commentary, unrelenting advocacy for animal rights, and a name as unforgettable as her legacy. For over 54 years, Adelle has dedicated her life and pen to defending the voiceless—exposing cruelty, celebrating compassion, and never backing down from a fight, no matter how controversial. Adelle lives in self-imposed solitude in a sleepy village near Herriman, Utah, where she shares her cottage with nine cats, six dogs, and an ever-growing collection of antique birdcages. Though reclusive in recent years, her words still echo through op-eds, exposés, and angry letters to editors across the globe. Her love life is the stuff of local legend—married four times, she outlived each husband and reportedly kept a handwritten eulogy prepared for every one of them. “They all had charm,” she once said, “but none could keep up with me or the dogs.” With her pinkish hair piled high, wire-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, and a glare that could frighten a bishop, Adelle Hassentropf remains a force. At once feared and admired, she is a woman whose loyalty lies with the truth, her animals, and the stubborn belief that dignity belongs to every living being.
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