Long Island Pups 'Lose Everything' As Virus Claims Owners

LONG ISLAND, NY — Four four-legged friends are without a forever home after the coronavirus claimed the lives of both their owner and her father.

At first, the Nassau County SPCA was just a temporary stop for Oliver, Winston, Isabelle and Izzy after their owner, Jennifer Stein, was hospitalized with COVID-19. Jennifer's father, Barry, had stepped in to care for the pups, but he was fighting his own battle against the coronavirus.

Soon, however, day-to-day care of the dogs became impossible for him.

It was "difficult to part with his daughter's dogs, her babies, but he knew it was the only way he could get better and help his daughter recover," Nassau County SPCA said in a Facebook post.

The day the organization took in the dogs, Barry Stein was hospitalized. He died on Feb. 10.

Six days later, Jennifer Stein also succumbed to the virus.

That same moment, her four dogs "lost everything," according to the SPCA.

"We were all so hopeful (Jennifer) would recover and she would have her babies to come home to," the organization said. "Unfortunately, that reunion will never happen."

Now, Oliver, Winston, Isabelle and Izzy are wondering where they'll go next.

The four are bonded, according to the SPCA, which means the organization wants to find them a new home where they can stay together.

In the meantime, the organization will continue to care for the pups.

"It breaks our hearts when we look into their little faces and they are asking when they could go home," the organization said in its post. "But we are determined to keep those tails wagging."

Oliver is a 5-year-old large black Lab mix, while Winston is a 5-year-old boxer, Isabelle a 4-year-old small Lab mix, and Izzy a 6-year-old Chihuahua. The Nassau County SPCA is accepting donations toward the care of the dogs.

Anyone interested in adopting the pups can call 516-576-2921 or email the Nassau County SPCA for an adoption application.