When the Davis family decided to visit Seattle Humane the day after Christmas, they weren’t looking for a specific breed. They just hoped to find the right dog for Caleb Davis’s birthday. But the moment they met Bear, they knew he was the one. “We bent down to talk to him through the window, and he shoved his paws underneath so we could pet him,” Star Davis said. “We loved him immediately.”

Now, at 17 months old, Bear has become a huge part of daily life for Star, Jason, Abby, Jared, and Caleb Davis. With his goofy personality, endless energy, and sweet nature, the husky has quickly earned a permanent place in the family. Yet even though Bear is playful and affectionate now, he was very shy during his first few days at home. Star said he spent much of his time lying near the front door adjusting to his new surroundings. To help him settle in, the family began taking him on frequent walks around the neighborhood. Those walks quickly became one of Bear’s favorite activities. Today, he especially loves visiting the Mill Creek Town Center trail, where he can explore all the different smells and sounds around him. According to Star, Bear enjoys going early in the morning while everything is still calm and quiet. “There’s so much for him to smell and see,” she said.

The family chose the name “Bear” because of his adorable face and clumsy personality. Star said he sometimes acts more like a panda bear than a husky, especially with his awkward jumps and goofy walks. At home, Bear is constantly near someone. He follows Star around the house while she cooks or cleans and likes curling up underneath people’s feet in the evenings. While he loves everyone in the family, Star said Bear is especially attached to her and Caleb. The second they walk through the door, he runs over hoping for attention and belly rubs.

Bear also loves food, although he definitely has opinions about it. He’ll eat almost anything, but if something is too hot, he’ll bark at it until it cools down. Despite loving treats, he can also be extremely stubborn. “He cannot be bribed with treats if he doesn’t want to do something,” Star said with a laugh. “He’s taken treats he normally loves and spit them right back out.” That stubbornness sometimes shows up during training. Bear learned commands like “sit” and “lay down” quickly, but he’s still figuring out how to use the family’s doggie door on his own.

When it comes to playtime, Bear is always ready. Squeaky balls are his favorite toys, although he’ll happily play with almost anything. He enjoys chasing after balls when someone throws them but returning them is another story. Usually, he grabs the ball and runs right past everyone with it proudly hanging out of his mouth. At the end of the day, Bear enjoys relaxing in his crate, on the cool kitchen floor, or underneath the television. Although Caleb originally wanted Bear to sleep in his room, Bear decided he preferred sleeping in his crate instead.

For the Davis family, Bear has become much more than just a pet. Between his goofy dances, clumsy personality, and love for exploring Mill Creek, he has brought constant joy into their home. “He is definitely part of the family,” Star said.