Built Different
The pets who remind us that different was never the same as less
Some pets wear their story. A leg that’s gone. A grin that tilts. A walk that makes people look twice and then look again. These four didn’t ask for easy. They got resilient instead.
Banks
7.5-year-old Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix in Berkeley, CA
He may be the fastest tripod you’ll ever meet.
Banks rockets after a tennis ball with jaw-dropping speed, pivots like a seasoned athlete, and returns with bright eyes that say, “Again?” The rear leg amputation never slowed him down. If anything, it clarified what was already true: this dog was built for movement, for work, for the kind of focus that makes Border Collie people nod in recognition. He’d flourish in agility, working, or farm environments.
He responds to sit, down, stay, heel, place, come, fetch, leave it, crate, and “good night” when it’s time to settle in. He’ll fetch the paper and offer a post-bath shake on cue. Smart, food-motivated, eager to please. After a full day of adventure, he cuddles as close as physically possible, leaning into his people with complete devotion.
Banks needs one to two hours of vigorous exercise daily, significant outdoor space, and someone experienced who can continue working with him on resource guarding around food. Loud noises like vacuums can make him uneasy. No young children.
If you live for early morning hikes, long games of fetch, and the kind of loyal companionship that sticks close on the couch afterward, Banks is ready.
Boots
3.5-year-old Boxer/Labrador Retriever mix in San Clemente, CA
Boots has a lopsided grin that could stop a room. One side of her face carries a classic Boxer expression. The other shows the lasting effects of facial nerve damage from surviving distemper as a puppy. The result is an endearing, slightly goofy smile that is completely, entirely her own.
She brings the same energy to everything else: stuffed animals, rope toys, and dashing around the yard with a happy bounce in her step. She’s compatible with kids, cats, and other dogs, and especially enjoys spending time with teens who match her upbeat enthusiasm. Car rides are another favorite.
Most of her teeth have been removed, so she may need ongoing dental care. But she eats, plays, and snuggles with total joy. Loud or high-pitched noises can make her uneasy, and she’d benefit from continued positive reinforcement training to build confidence.
After a day of fun, Boots is happiest curled up on the bed or relaxing in her kennel, content just to be near her people.
Daphne
Approximately 1-year-old Chihuahua/Shepherd mix in Temecula, CA
She was hit by a car. The impact left her with a broken knee, a broken hip, and a hernia. All of it required careful surgical repair.
Now she’s learning to walk with confidence again, growing stronger in her foster home with gentle guidance and careful activity limits. Short, calm walks are her routine right now. She may need joint support supplements and mindful weight management as she matures.
None of that has dimmed her spark
Daphne is playful, silly, and full of determination. Tug of war is her absolute favorite, and she loves chasing her frisbee across the yard. She’s wonderfully compatible with other dogs and would do well with a canine companion who can share games and cozy naps. She’s gentle and affectionate with children, greeting strangers with friendly curiosity.
She knows sit, come, and gentle, and she’s eager to keep learning. Like any young pup, she has a mischievous streak. Socks and shoes sometimes mysteriously relocate to her favorite treasure spot.
Most of all, Daphne is a cuddle bug who loves morning snuggles and being close to her people.
Cooper
6.5-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix in West Milford, NJ
He’s had ACL surgery on both rear legs. Both times, he bounced back like a champ.
Cooper has spent the last five years as a true adventure buddy: riding shotgun on road trips, chasing lacrosse balls across the yard, hiking forest trails, splashing into lakes. The surgeries didn’t change that. He still moves with confidence and energy, still gazes at you with those expressive eyes that ask, “What’s next?”
At 70 pounds, he’s strong and sturdy, but his favorite place is wherever you are, preferably with his head resting gently on your lap. He knows sit, stay, paw (with either paw), and runs a picture-perfect fetch routine that ends with the ball at your feet every time.
Cooper manages allergies with monthly Cytopoint injections and weekly baths. He’s used to the routine and stays in great shape with regular vet visits. He needs a calm, adult household with no other pets. He’s reactive toward other dogs, especially around food and toys, and thrives when he doesn’t have to compete for attention.
If you want a loyal companion who’s already proven he can handle whatever comes next, Cooper is waiting.
A Note From Lauren
This issue is personal.
My cat Sunny has cancer. He needs surgery to remove his leg. The diagnosis came fast, and suddenly I was the family sitting in the vet’s office trying to process what I was hearing while already thinking about what comes next. The same moment I’ve watched hundreds of families go through.
And now I’m watching Sunny prepare for the same journey Banks has already completed, the same journey Boots and Daphne have already survived, the same quiet determination Cooper shows every single day.
This is why your subscription matters. Not just for the pets in this newsletter, but for the families behind them. The ones navigating the emotional, physical, and financial weight of loving an animal whose body has other plans. Your support helps us help them, whether that means staying together or finding the right next home.
So this issue isn’t just about four pets who need homes. It’s about what happens when the body changes and the spirit doesn’t. It’s about the families who said yes anyway.
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Your paid subscription helps us help pets like Banks, Boots, Daphne, and Cooper either stay with their families or find new ones. It funds the profiles, the videos, the outreach that gets these pets seen by the right people at the right time.
Whether you subscribe for free or choose to support our work, you are part of something that matters.
Until next week,
Lauren & the Joyful Pets team 🐾
P.S. Know someone who understands that the best pets sometimes come with a little extra? Forward this their way.