Norwich — As about a half dozen small dogs romped and played at the Estelle Cohn Memorial Dog Park Saturday afternoon, two terriers broke away from the group and happily went at each other, nipping, chasing and yelping.

"Only brothers fight like that," said Eric Traini of Lisbon, as he watched his West Highland/Cairn terrier mix, Clutch, play with his littermate, Dutch.

"Now we just have to find Hutch," said Dutch's owner, Donna Palumbo of Niantic.

It was a second play date for Dutch and Clutch, who were each adopted in 2012 from the Connecticut Humane Society in Waterford. Dutch's and Clutch's owners knew when they adopted their dogs that they were among three littermates who arrived in the state from the South, and that they had been separated for adoption. They also knew the three Westie/Cairn terriers were named Hutch, Clutch and Dutch.

But that was it until several weeks ago when Dutch's family, Donna and Michael Palumbo, visited the Norwich dog park for the first time, and Dutch met Clutch, a regular there. The two terriers seemed to size each other up in the small dog area, Donna Palumbo said.

"They really seemed to recognize each other," said Traini. "Clutch is more light yellow, and Dutch more white, but otherwise, their facial features and body builds are very similar."

Despite the fact that they're groomed differently — Clutch is cropped more closely and Dutch's fur is longer — Donna Palumbo also noticed the similarities and asked Traini what breed Clutch was, and other questions, at their first meeting.

They soon realized they had both adopted from the Waterford shelter in 2012, and that their dogs were the same mix of terrier.

"I finally asked, 'What's your dog's name?' and when Eric said 'Clutch,' I was like, 'No way,' and the rest is history," said Palumbo. "Dutch and Clutch just loved seeing each other that day, and they were running around and round. They had a great time. Clutch even jumped up in our van with Dutch as we were leaving."

"I always knew there were siblings, that there was a group of three brothers, and they were all abused," said Traini,who, like the Palumbos, never once considered changing his dog's name.

"Clutch is sort of a cool name," he said.

"Dutch is a fun name," said Palumbo. She described it as "kind of Italian" and said it "goes really well with Palumbo. We call him Dutch Palumbo."

The Connecticut Humane Society said it does not comment on pet adoptions but was pleased to hear that Dutch and Clutch had been reunited. Adoptions are private, a spokeswoman said, and suggested that the owners of Dutch and Clutch use social media if they want to find the other littermate.

Traini said it would be nice to find Hutch, but he's more interested in promoting adoption of shelter dogs.

"I've always done rescues," he said. "They need homes."

Alicia Wright, spokeswoman for the Connecticut Humane Society, said there are fees for dogs, but when they are ready for adoption they have been spayed and neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

Asked whether Dutch, Clutch and Hutch had been abused, Wright said she wouldn't discuss any specific case but said often dogs that come from out of state lack socialization and their demeanor may suggest that they have been treated poorly.

"What may look like a bad experience may be too much time outside in a kennel. If a dog has been left alone it may be wary of strangers, or not behave on a leash, or be worried about men and women. But it doesn't necessarily mean they've suffered abuse," she said.

Palumbo and Traini said their dogs were about 18 months old and skittish around people when they were adopted.

"Clutch was very reclusive, or shy. He was an odd duck," said Traini. "And it took a while for him to get used to me." 

The Palumbos had a similar experience and knew that Dutch had been in a foster home for several months.

"When we adopted Dutch, they told us he came from the Carolinas and that he had two brothers," said Palumbo, adding that even after several months in foster care, Dutch was still timid when he moved into their home.

"I remember the first time he chased a cat and I couldn't believe it; I called the foster dad to tell him," she said.

Over time, both families said their dogs have grown to be wonderful, happy pets.

"He's a very good dog," said Traini. "He's no trouble at all. He doesn't spill his food, or make a mess, and he likes to travel. He's been to Cape Cod, Vermont and Pittsburgh."

The Palumbos said Dutch is good in the car, too, and they take him to visit friends and dog parks all over the region.

"They are so much alike," said Traini, as he watched the dogs play on Saturday. "They have the same attitude and disposition, and Dutch is just as playful as Clutch."

"I always wondered about Dutch's brothers," said Palumbo. "I always thought it would be nice to meet them."

Wright, from the Humane Society, said it will be up to an owner of another dog to come forward if and when they hear about the Dutch and Clutch reunion.

But she did say that in her many years with the Humane Society, it's a unique meeting.

"This is actually a first for me, and I've been here for a while," she said. "And it's a really, really nice story." 

The Connecticut Humane Society does work with Southern partners, as well as with several Connecticut organizations, to find homes for pets in need, said Wright. All of its adoptees have been legally transported, treated by veterinarians and quarantined if necessary before being offered for adoption. Unless animals arrive in "firmly bonded pairs," Wright said, littermates are separated for adoption.

Annually, the Connecticut Humane Society takes in more than 6,000 pets from the local community, animal control and out-of-state partners, including cases of owner surrender, Wright said. About 93 percent of those pets go into new homes.

Cats account for 60 percent and dogs about 35 percent, she said. The balance is a mix of animals like hamsters and gerbils.  

Wright said anyone interested in saving pet lives through adoption, donations or volunteering may visit cthumane.org for more information. The local facility is in the Quaker Hill section of Waterford and each week the Humane Society features on its website pets that are looking for homes.

a.baldelli@theday.com

Twitter: @annbaldelli