Springer Spaniel Who Loves Playing Basketball Wins Pet of the Week

This week, we’ve seen a rescue dog who couldn’t fathom why he was being given a treat and a New York City cat enjoying the outdoors for the first time ever.

We have also been enjoying readers’ pictures and videos of their pets, sent in for our weekly Newsweek Pet of the Week lineup.

If you want your animal to be part of next week’s Pet of the Week, don’t forget to get involved using the instructions at the end of this story.

Winner

This week’s Pet of the Week is more than just a family pet; he’s a source of endless joy and laughter with an interesting skill—he can play basketball.

Robert Cournoyer told Newsweek: “Archie is my daughter’s dog, but I get to see him every week. He’s as happy to see me as I am to see him.” Their time together includes long walks and plenty of games.

What really sets Archie apart is his love for sports, especially basketball. “Archie has a competitive spirit,” Cournoyer said. “Whenever my grandson and his friends play basketball, throw footballs, or toss baseballs, Archie is right there, eager to join in.” Whether chasing after the ball or trying to keep up with the action, Archie is always enthusiastic.

Beyond his athletic talents, Archie also creates smiles wherever he goes. “He’s a joy and never fails to brighten the day of everyone he meets,” said Cournoyer.

Finalists

Our first finalist this week is Felipe, a dog who was rescued from a hoarding trailer by Brandywine Valley SPCA in Washington, D.C.

His owner, Margaret Alexander, told Newsweek: “He had never been outside when I got him home. He didn’t know how to climb stairs, and I had to carry him for over a month to go to the toilet.”

Despite his difficult start, Felipe has made remarkable progress in just nine months. “He still has separation anxiety, and I have social anxiety, so we match in a great way,” Alexander said. Their bond has blossomed, with Felipe finding comfort on her love seat and forming loving relationships with her cats.

“I’ll never understand how anyone could mistreat a dog,” Alexander said.

Next up this week are Mew and Spock, two cats who live with owner Ashley Boyles. “Mew always wants to be in the middle of what you’re doing,” Boyles told Newsweek.

Known for her adventurous palate, Mew will eat just about anything. “She once ate half-a-container of chow mein and ran away with noodles hanging out of her mouth,” Boyles said.

Spock, the brown cat, is a quieter and calmer of the two. “Spock loves to cuddle in the blankets and pillows, so I bundled her up for the night,” Boyles said, adding that, true to her relaxed nature, Spock snores loudly and often sleeps draped off the side of the bed.

Last but not least this week is Sheryl Seyer’s rescue dog, Jericho.

Adopted at 9 months old from the Parma SPCA in Ohio, Jericho—or Jerry—has grown into a sweet and athletic companion.

“Jerry enjoys catching a ball I toss to him and is extremely athletic,” Seyer told Newsweek. His boundless energy is a standout trait, but, despite his high energy, Jerry balances it with obedience and a sweet nature.

Do you have funny or adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.