No matter who you are, adopting a dog is always a great decision. When you adopt a dog from a shelter you’re not only giving them a great new life, you’re getting plenty of unconditional love in return.
Even major Hollywood celebrities have spoken about how their rescue dogs changed their lives. Recently, one star spoke about how adopting his furry best friend was the “best decision” he’s made.
Chris Evans is best known for playing superhero Captain America in a hit series of Marvel blockbusters. But he became a real-life superhero for a boxer mix named Dodger, who Evans adopted in 2017.
It all started while Evans was filming the movie Gifted, and he realized the kennel they were filming in wasn’t just a movie set.
“I foolishly walked in and I thought, ‘Are these actor dogs or are these real up for adoption dogs?’” the actor told People in 2017. “And sure enough they were, so I was walking up and down the aisles and saw this one dude and he didn’t belong there. I snagged him and he’s such a good dog.”
“I had no intention of rescuing a dog that day, but the minute I saw him I knew he was coming home [with] me,” Evans wrote in an Instagram post marking National Rescue Dog Day.
In a recent interview with BuzzFeed Celeb, Evans said that he imagined adopting a puppy, and never planned on taking home an older dog like Dodger. But after seeing Dodger, it was love at first sight.
“Dodger was a full-grown dog,” he told BuzzFeed, saying the dog was about 2 at the time. “It wasn’t the story I had in my mind but it ended up being the best decision of my life.”
The actor now says more people should consider adopting older dogs, who need homes but are often overlooked.
“I just think a lot of adult dogs and older dogs get overlooked, and that’s a shame,” he said. “Let’s give them some love, too.”
If it wasn’t clear that Evans loves dogs, he also got to play with puppies throughout the whole interview — and couldn’t contain his excitement:
Evans didn’t plan to adopt a dog that day on set, but it clearly changed his life. Dodger is beloved by the actor’s fans, and frequently appears on his social media.
Dodger has become such a big part of Evans’ life, in fact, that he got the dog’s name tattooed on his chest.
“I mean that’s probably one of the purest relationships I have,” Evans said in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October 2020. “[Getting my tattoo of his name] didn’t take much convincing. I’ll never regret that tattoo. I’ve regretted a few in my life, not that one.”
While Dodger is an older dog than Evans planned on, he was still quite a handful, as playful as a puppy.
“He acts like a puppy, he’s got the energy of a puppy, he’s just such a sweetheart, he’s such a good boy,” Evans told People. “He loves dogs, he loves kids, he’s full of love.”
“God dogs, they’re such great animals. I really can’t say enough about dogs, I’m a dog lunatic.”
A dog’s love can be the most valuable thing in the world, even for people who are rich and famous.
We’re so glad Chris Evans found such a perfect pet, and thank him for spread the word about adopting dogs, especially older dogs.
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