Slobbering and wheezing in anticipation, Brooklyn, a pit bull mix, strained against her collar as she marched purposefully toward a fenced play area at Animal Care Centers of NYC’s Manhattan shelter, where she knew she would be showered with butt scratches and attention.

The gate opened and volunteers laughed as Brooklyn bounded around like a playful wrecking ball.

"She is the cutest, roly-poly, delicious dog,” said Katy Hansen, the director of marketing and communications for Animal Care Centers, which runs New York City’s public animal shelters. She said it was hard to believe Brooklyn had been living at the shelter for six months.