Say hello to this week’s featured pets: Spunky and Trooper.

Spunky is a two-year-old mixed breed dog with a puppy’s body and a face that makes him look like he could star in the dog version of the movie “Grumpy Old Men!” His eyes bug out just enough to be cute, and his permanently furrowed brow gives him an air of irritation. However, this uniquely built guy is hilarious, silly, and excitable – he could hardly sit still for his photoshoot. Spunky is a character who loves everyone he meets and is ready to take off on his next adventure.

Trooper is a happy-go-lucky mixed-breed boy of about two years old. He was picked up as a stray over a month ago and never reclaimed. Trooper is an energetic dog but will sit to take a treat gently and is highly trainable. Although he enjoys romping in the yard, Trooper always seems to be anxiously looking for something and is most comfortable by the side of a human. Trooper will be a fantastic friend to an active person or family who understands his need for structure and responsible dog ownership. Could you be the one that will give Trooper a reason to relax and become the best dog he can be?

Trooper and Spunky are fixed, microchipped, and vaccinated; bring your dog and family on weekdays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to meet them. Call 859.238.1117 to ensure they’re still available and complete an online application to save time: https://bit.ly/2Qo4EfE. Can’t get to the shelter during open hours? Email karikuh@dbchs.org to set up an appointment.

Like Trooper and Spunky, most dogs in shelters are a combination of two or more breed types, affectionately known as mutts. Even though some dogs may look like a particular breed, visual identification is usually inaccurate.

Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida surveyed 5,000+ veterinarians, breeders, trainers, shelter staff, and other professionals who identified dog breeds from photographs. Then they compared those answers to the actual DNA profiles of the dogs. The experts’ responses were wrong more than 70% of the time! See the results here: https://bit.ly/3y6Kp6y.

To find the right match for your lifestyle and family, we encourage you to look beyond the breed and instead consider what you want in a companion. Let’s discuss the pet’s size, energy level, personality, and how well they would fit into your life. No matter what kind of dog you adopt, they will love you in a way that words cannot explain. Visit dbchs.org/adopt and dbchs.home-home.org to see area pets looking for new homes.

The Danville-Boyle County Humane Society is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) established in 1972 that promotes the humane treatment of animals through compassionate care, engagement, and support. To donate, please visit DBCHS.org/give or mail a check to DBCHS P.O. Box 487, Danville, KY 40423-0487. We’re grateful for our generous community!