Eleven-month-old Penny’s classic Boxer-mix coat and intelligent eyes are the color of a newly minted, uncirculated Penny. It’s a color that won’t be seen nearly as often now that the coins are going away. They weren’t valuable enough to survive. Penny, who’s spayed and has perfect manners, hopes that someone recognizes her value.

For nearly a year, a crucial period in the pup’s socialization, her family saw Penny’s value. The children probably laughed at her wrinkled face and prancing white paws. Penny must have enjoyed that laughter and everything else about them. She’s a loving girl. In addition to people, Penny made other dogs and cats her friends.

Yet sometimes being a perfect pet isn’t enough. Penny’s people moved. She watched. She wasn’t invited along.