I’m Clark! I’m a 9 month old loveable Labrador mix–mixed with what, exactly? Well, that’s a mystery because I haven’t done one of those fancy DNA tests yet. What I do know is I’ve got long, floppy ears, light eyes that sparkle when I’m excited, and I used to have a long tail. That tail was my pride and joy—I wagged it like crazy, especially when I was stuck in a kennel. I couldn’t help it. I was just so hopeful someone would come for me.

Eventually, the amazing folks at DLRR did come and rescue me. But all that wagging in the kennel had hurt my tail so badly it wouldn’t stop bleeding. The vet said it had to be shortened. Honestly? It’s okay. Now my foster brother can’t grab it when we’re wrestling. I still grab his tail sometimes though. Fair’s fair.

We play together a lot. He’s obsessed with this game called fetch. I don’t really get it—I mean, why bring the ball back when you can just chew it? I’ll chase it, sure, but he dives into the pool for it like it’s treasure. I bark at him when he does that. Not because I’m mad—I just want to make sure he’s safe. I’ll be back in the pool soon too, once my stitches heal from my tail surgery and being neutered.

I’m proud to say I never have accidents in the house. But I do have a soft spot for chewing socks, rugs well, just about anything. It just feel so good on my teeth. I don’t get treats for it though, so I’m starting to rethink that hobby. Toys are great too, but my foster brother always wants the one I have. I chase him for ages to get it, and when I finally do—guess what—he wants it back. It’s a whole thing.

Playing is my favorite. I wish I could play with every dog I see on walks. When they ignore me, I cry a little. Maybe I’ll grow out of it, but right now it just makes me sad. Also, my foster mom walks way too slow. I try to help her pick up the pace, but she puts me in a harness when she wants me to chill. I don’t pull then, but I still cryjust a little when dogs won’t play with me.

I love car rides. I curl up on the seat and enjoy the ride like a pro. I like it almost as much as I like to be close to my family while they pet and cuddle me.  I only go in my kennel when my foster parents leave or when I need a time out (which, okay, happens sometimes). I don’t know how I feel about cats but chasing them is so tempting. Even when my foster family says “leave it,” I know what I’m supposed to do… it’s just really hard. Same as barking at the next-door neighbor’s dog.  I think we are friends because I always answer them when they bark first, but my family says, this isn’t how to make friends.  I guess I am still learning. 

So yeah, that’s me—Clark. A playful, curious, tail-shortened, sock-chewing, cat-chasing, ball-skeptical pup with a big heart and a bigger love for life.