In the middle of the pandemic, I met a stranger in a parking lot late at nightโ€”and all I got to show for it was the cutest dog Iโ€™ve ever seen in my life. Pancake, my Aussie-mix, is a bundle of energy with a personality that makes me laugh every single day. Pancake loves to help me plot novels, chase the cats, then beg for soccer when I take writing breaks.

His favorite food: Sandwich cookie dog treats

His favorite game: Soccer

His favorite pastime: Digging under the fence to steal oranges from the neighborโ€™s tree

The funniest thing about Pancake is heโ€™s super hesitant to try new food. If you give him something new, heโ€™ll take it to the middle of the room, set it down, and thoroughly investigate the item before attempting to eat it. He also will not eat if youโ€™re watching him. (I mean, I get it, I donโ€™t like people watching me eat either.)