He’s a 4-year-old stray now at a boarding facility, with a lovely chocolate coat and cute eyebrow markings that make his face so expressive.

Jooper had a really tough start.

He watched his buddies get hit by cars on the street, one after another, until he was all alone fending for himself. Feeders who looked out for him worried he’d be next, so they helped get him off the roads into safety.

Walks are his absolute favorite thing now. His eyes light up, he gives you this big, happy smile, and looks at you like you’re his hero when it’s time to go out. He walks nicely, loves sniffing grass, sitting to watch people go by, feeling the sun or shade or soft ground under him. It’s like he reminds us to just take it easy and enjoy the little stuff.

Sometimes he still pulls back around new people – he’s not sure yet, and that’s okay. But he wakes up hopeful every day, ready for his walk, so we know he’ll come around with the right person.