I'm ready for my new family!

Hi, I’m Jack!

I’m about a year old, and I’m one of the Mission R.I.S.E. dogs.

When DDS found me, I had a girl dog by my side. We were such a pair that the humans obviously had no choice but to name us Jack and Jill.   Jill was my person—or, technically, my dog. And I took protecting her VERY seriously. If a human came too close, I’d grumble to let them know their presence had been noted and was not particularly appreciated.

Pretty quickly, the humans separated us. I was still grumbly at first. Then one of them sat with me. And sat with me. And sat with me some more. Eventually, I decided maybe humans weren’t so terrible after all. The grumbling stopped.

Leaving my kennel, however? Absolutely not. Want Jack to walk out the door? Bring Jill. Want Jack to acknowledge there is an entire world beyond this kennel? I WILL REQUIRE JILL.

But slowly, more people earned my trust. Eventually I started coming out without my emotional-support Jill and even going for walks!

Eventually I even went to live with a family, and that came with another revelation:

Apparently when humans bring you into their home, they expect you to… live there. Like, actually participate. At first I mostly stood or sat there like I’d wandered into someone else’s Airbnb. I didn’t know how to relax, play, or be part of things. Then I ran around the yard. I played with toys. I started acting like an actual dog!

I still had some struggles, so DDS decided I needed to come back into their care.

That brought me to the foster I live with now, where I’ve continued my education in Being A Dog.

Beds? Phenomenal. Human beds? Why was this information withheld from me for so long? Food? Excellent. Cheeseburgers? Possibly humanity’s greatest contribution to civilization. Dog friends? LOVE THEM. My foster dog sibling had… opinions about me at first. But we worked it out, and now we’re buddies.

Collars and leashes remain extremely questionable inventions. Humans seem committed to them. I think we should revisit the policy.

Crates are an even harder no. I hate them, and thankfully I behave beautifully without one.

I’ve also become curious about fences—specifically whether they’re boundaries or perhaps just an interesting climbing challenge. My foster says boundaries. I remain unconvinced. So my future home needs a secure setup and humans willing to keep an eye on my research.

Underneath all my quirks, I’m an incredibly loving, curious dog. But I don’t give my trust away immediately.

I need people who understand there’s a difference between giving me time and giving up on me. Because once I decide you’re safe? Oh. Then you’re mine.

My perfect person will let me move slowly when I need to, but won’t let me hide forever inside whatever feels comfortable.

Because if it were up to me? Stay home. Skip the leash. Avoid the new thing. Eat the cheeseburger. Return to bed. Honestly, it’s not a terrible plan.

But the humans who love me know I’m capable of more.

I need someone willing to gently push me forward—not by forcing me, but by showing me that good things are waiting outside my comfort zone.

Walks can be fun. New people can become friends. New places can be safe. And being somebody’s dog is actually a pretty incredible gig once you figure out how it works!

I’m dog friendly, kid friendly, and my thoughts on cats are currently unknown. I don’t need a crate, and I’d probably love a friendly dog buddy in my next home.

If you’re willing to be patient when I need patience, give me a nudge when I need courage, and celebrate those little victories, Momma Chrissy and the DDS team will be right there supporting us.

3 Months ago, I didn’t even understand that people might want me beside them. Now? I’ve discovered beds, best friends, toys, cheeseburgers, and what it feels like to belong.

I think I’d like to keep going! Maybe with you?