By Haley Mitchell Godwin

“My name is Jupiter. I was named after the Greek god of the sky and thunder, who was known for his immense power and strength. I am a half Rottweiler and half Pitbull. Like my namesake, who struck down his enemies with bolts of lightning, I will stand my ground to protect my family and may look intimidating to some. However, I am gentle and affectionate with everyone I meet as long as I can sense they are on my side. When I get to know you, you are a friend for life. I will eat anything I can get my paws on and I inhale any food that is dropped, but my parents only feed me my dog food and the occasional treat.” 

Jupiter belongs to Brysen and Valeria Smith of Luverne. He is a sweet and affectionate pup who will nudge his owner’s hand with his paw to get some petting. Jupiter’s favorite activity is chasing a laser pointer and his owners say it is very amusing to watch him race around the house in pursuit of the elusive red dot.  What makes Jupiter extra special is the role he has played in healing the hearts of his owners who tragically lost all four of their beloved dogs over a span of only five days. The Smiths adopted Jupiter from the Greenville Animal Shelter and he has been a true blessing to his family with his unique personality and love and devotion to pack. If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, take a cue from the Smiths and ADOPT a furry friend like Jupiter.

“Pet of the Week” and the quarterly feature, “Pet of the Season,” are sponsored by Crenshaw Animal Clinic and Dr. Alethea Gammage of Luverne – (334) 335-5309. Crenshaw Animal Clinic is a full-service small animal clinic that provides comprehensive health care for pets. They offer a full range of services to help keep pets happy and healthy- including vaccine administration, routine preventive care, wellness exams, dental care, allergy care, flea/tick/heartworm control, parasite control, routine surgical procedures, microchipping, early detection, and treatment of a wide range of conditions and diseases with in-clinic diagnostics, ophthalmology, spay and neuter, and more. During the quarterly “Pet of the Season” contest, animals featured in “Pet of the Week” will go head to head, and the animal with the most votes will win a personalized prize package from Crenshaw Animal Clinic valued at $250. At the end of the year, all quarterly winners will compete for “Crenshaw County Pet of the Year” and the grand prize. To submit your furry (or scaly, slimy or feathery) friend, visit https://www.luvernejournal.com/pet-of-the-week/#/rounds/1/gallery/enter  . If participants have submitted a nomination for a pet, and the pet hasn’t been featured, don’t fret! We have rolled all entries over into the next contest.