About this J.P. Dog:

Shanti is a two and a half year old rescue from Save-a-Lab in Rhode Island. Her humans did a DNA test and found out that she’s 1/2 Lab, 1/8 Vizsla, 1/8 Australian Cattle Dog, and 1/4 unknown. (Continue for five more photos of beautiful Shanti!)

“Shanti was a tick-infested stray on the streets of Jacksonville, Florida when Save-a-Lab rescued her. They kept her in the South for a couple of months for spaying, further veterinarian care and socialization via their foster care system. They then sent her up to Rhode Island where she was fostered for a week before we picked her up. She was a bit timid when we got her but she’s come out of her shell.”

“She doesn’t have any nicknames, at least not yet. I waited twenty five years to get a dog, and twenty of those years I knew her name would be Shanti. Incredibly, she lives up to her name – it means “peace” in Sanskrit.”

About this J.P. Dog’s humans: 

Shanti lives with her humans Judy and Del, and her two feline siblings. Judy and Del have lived in Jamaica Plain for fifteen years!

Does your J.P. Dog have any funny quirks, odd behaviors, or defining characteristics?

She likes to greet us at the door with some kind of gift offering – a bone, a soft toy, a sock and occasionally she’ll amuse us by finding something a bit more intimate. She also has a funny behavior when we bring her to places we can let her off leash. She likes to run around like a maniac in circles with her butt tucked under and zoom by us very closely but thankfully she hasn’t knocked us over. We’re also happy to report that after five months of being fearful of the water, she learned to swim during that warm first week of October that we had last year. Now she loves it! 

What do you love most about your J.P. Dog?

Shanti’s very smart and loves to learn. She has really enjoyed going to Angell for obedience classes and she is hopefully going to pass her Canine Good Citizen Test so she can be a Therapy Dog. She has already had practice doing that at her grandfather’s assisted living facility and she seems to enjoy it. It’s fun for all of us. We’re very lucky that Shanti’s a very laid back girl. 

Your J.P. Dog’s favorite outdoor spots in J.P.?

She has so many! But she definitely loves the Pond and Peter’s Hill. 

Anything else you’d like to share about your J.P. Dog?

She’s a good sister to her cat siblings.

Photography: Shanti’s humans