Chris Evans might be best known for wielding Captain America's shield in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the actor's real-life superpower is being an incredible pet parent to his rescue dog, Dodger. He’s been inseparable from his Boxer mix since 2017, when a chance encounter on a movie set changed both their lives forever.
Chris met Dodger while filming Gifted in 2017, when one of the last scenes was shot at an animal shelter. As he walked through the kennels filled with dogs available for adoption, one particular pup caught his eye. "I was walking up and down the aisles and saw Dodger. I snagged him," he recalled. “It really was one of those few moments that happened in life where it just clicked.” The then 1-year-old Boxer mix reminded him of Dodger from the 1988 Disney movie Oliver & Company — and the name stuck.
It was love at first sight for the actor, who later called adopting Dodger "the best decision of my life." Now around 10 years old, Dodger has become his constant companion and the subject of countless social media posts.
The actor has Dodger's name tattooed on his chest and frequently gushes about their bond. "He is such a good friend. I'm probably biased, but I would say that Dodger is a cut above the average dog," he shared.
For Chris, Dodger’s fresh and vibrant spirit is what makes him so special. In a CNN interview, he describes the pup as a "brand new soul" whose heart and eyes are always wide open. He’s so fun to be around, in fact, that Dodger has become a staple on movie sets, acting as a beloved mascot for the entire crew.
While Chris has to navigate the complexities of being a famous superhero, he is humbled by the fact that Dodger’s world remains entirely normal. "Dodger, I would argue, is a relatively famous dog, and he has no idea," he noted. "There’s no part of me that has to worry that any of this is gonna go to Dodger’s head." For an actor constantly checking his own priorities, Dodger offers a "clean" and "refreshing reset"—a reminder of what it’s like to move through the world with a heart that simply cannot be changed by the spotlight.
Following the recent arrival of their first baby, Chris and his wife, Alba Baptista, may expand their family further by giving Dodger a fur sibling. It seems fitting that the actor who has long championed adopting from a rescue would want to open his home to another pup in need. After all, Chris has proven that rescuing a shelter dog leads to the most rewarding friendship imaginable — a bond that is clearly stronger than any superhero alliance.
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