The lovebug pup with a legendary pout

A leash tug and a dog on a mission — that was the moment Beefcake decided his future. With one determined pull, he made it clear he was ready for an adventure to Wisconsin with his adopter, Gina O’Boyle. “He started to literally pull me to my car and just sat in front of the passenger door looking at me,” says Gina. He was leaving behind his home-between-homes at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, a changed dog with a renewed zest for life.

Beefcake arrived at the Sanctuary from a shelter. While he liked his human friendships, he was less enthusiastic about canine companionship. When other dogs walked by or barked, he responded with barking — a lot of barking. Beefcake is a pet who could have been at risk of being killed in a shelter, especially if that shelter were already full and struggling to save dogs and cats. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together to save pets who need extra care or time.

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At the Sanctuary, caregivers focused on what made him happiest: making new human friends with staff and volunteers. He settled into a rhythm. Mornings meant brisk walks through the red rocks, where he’d pause dramatically anytime someone came up to pet him — as if he understood his role as Sanctuary heartthrob. Afternoons were reserved for outings with volunteers: car rides, trail explorations, and his favorite treats. Evenings often ended with a cozy sleepover, where he’d insist on sleeping as close as possible to whoever was hosting him. He even spent some time in foster care, where his personality really bloomed as he relaxed in the cozy home environment.

“He’s a big lovebug. I mean, how can you resist that ridiculous face?” says Best Friends caregiver Anabel Kirk.

Gina’s trip to the Sanctuary was originally meant to be a bucket-list adventure with her senior dog, Grace, who had cancer. When Grace passed away just months before the visit, Gina decided to make the trip anyway.

As the trip drew closer, Gina felt ready to adopt again; she even had a list of dogs she had her eye on. Among the photos of the dogs was one with a perpetual pout and a pink stuffed dinosaur clutched in his mouth: Beefcake. “That photo really sucked me in,” Gina says. Gina made it to the Sanctuary and met several dogs, but Beefcake stood out to her with his big pout and his iconic stuffed toy. She took him for a walk, and then when she was standing outside chatting with his caregivers, Beefcake made his move.

Beefcake hadn’t seen which car Gina had gotten out of, but he just knew. He pulled Gina back to the passenger door of her vehicle, and “that was the moment I knew,” Gina says. “They asked if I wanted some time to think, and I told them it wasn’t necessary. That action had solidified my decision.”

Beefcake and Gina left Kanab for the long trek back to Wisconsin, but Beefcake made himself perfectly comfortable, sleeping for most of the drive.

These days, Beefcake enjoys as many outings as he can with Gina. She works at a vet clinic, and Beefcake tags along every day, enjoying long walks on her lunch breaks and petting from her co-workers. “A typical day off usually involves him following me around the house and going for long walks and hikes at nearby parks,” Gina says.

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Beefcake has even made a few new friends since moving to Wisconsin. He has a special love for Gina’s nephews. “The boys come over for sleepovers pretty often, and Beefy thinks it’s the best because they’re always up for a game of tug with him,” Gina says. Beefcake also enjoys trips to Gina’s grandparents’ house with their large yard where he is able to run as much as he wants.

Beefcake’s life now is full of new adventures, but some things never change — especially his love of stuffed toys. “He’s an equal-opportunity guy when it comes to toys,” Gina says with a laugh. “But his favorite right now is an alligator stuffy he got from his caregivers at the Sanctuary.” It’s a small reminder of where his journey began — and how far he’s come.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.