Meet Jack.

Source listing notes: Courtesy Post

Rutherfordton, NC · Senior · Rat Terrier

Listed since Sep 17, 2026. Listing dates do not establish shelter intake or continuous availability.

First seen by Goodmorph Oct 30, 2026.

Rescue last updated: Sep 17, 2026

In the shelter’s words

This is a courtesy post. This animal is not at Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue. Please do not contact Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue regarding this animal. If you are interested in Jack, contact information is provided below.Meet Jack ❤️10-year-old Rat Terrier | 25 lbs. | Neutered | Up to date on vaccinationsThis is one of the hardest things our family has ever had to do.Jack has been a deeply loved member of our family since he was young. For years, he was Taylor’s constant companion while she lived four hours away from her family in Raleigh. It was just the two of them, and Jack took his job as her little sidekick very seriously. He has always been incredibly loyal, loving and devoted to his person.Life has changed considerably since then. Taylor is now married, and Jack shares his home with another dog with whom he has never gotten along. The family also now has a toddler. Because of the history between the two dogs, they cannot safely be together in the home. For a long time, the family has managed this by rotating the dogs between home and boarding, sometimes for a month at a time. We have reached the heartbreaking realization that this simply isn’t a fair or sustainable life for either dog.Jack isn’t being rehomed because he isn’t loved. He’s being rehomed because he is. We want his remaining years to be spent in a peaceful home where he can relax, be someone’s companion, and get all the attention he deserves.About JackJack may be 10, but don’t tell him that! He still has plenty of energy and absolutely loves leash walks and car rides. When it’s time to slow down, he’s equally happy lying in the window watching cars, people and bicycles go by.And Jack is a wonderful cuddler. If you’re looking for a little dog who likes to crawl under the covers and snuggle up beside you, you’ve found him.He’s also an exceptionally smart boy. He knows basic commands and has developed some pretty funny ways of communicating with his humans. If you’re not giving him enough attention, he’ll reach out and tap you with his paw. Continue ignoring him and he may just tip over his food bowl to make his point! He also loves his squeaky toys.Jack is house-trained and will also use a potty pad. He does wonderfully when left home alone, does not need a crate and is not destructive. He does well at the vet and, other than some skin allergies, is in great health.Thunderstorms are another story. Jack is afraid of storms, and when one rolls through, he wants to be right beside his person. ❤️Jack and Other AnimalsJack currently attends doggy daycare and runs with other dogs successfully, so we believe he could potentially live with another compatible dog. Because of the history with the other dog in his current home, however, a meet-and-greet would be essential. Jack may be happiest as the only dog or possibly with another compatible small dog.He has lived around cats in the past, but it has been many years, so we cannot say with certainty how he would do with a cat today.ChildrenJack has lived in a home with a young child and has not shown aggression toward him. Most of the time, he simply ignores him. Because the family has been very cautious and has limited Jack’s interactions with an excited toddler, we don’t feel we have enough experience to recommend him for a home with very young children.We think Jack’s ideal home would be an adult home or one with older, dog-savvy children.A Few Important Things to KnowJack must be leashed or in a securely fenced area whenever he’s outside. If he gets loose, he will run—and he thinks being chased is a wonderful game! He has given his family a few scares over the years, so his new family will need to take this seriously.Jack also becomes very excited/reactive when he sees bicycles, so he should always be securely leashed around cyclists.We also want to be completely transparent about one past incident. Jack once slipped out the door and chased a delivery driver back toward her truck, where he nipped her heel. There has not been a pattern of Jack biting people—he is generally friendly with people, although he will bark when strangers first arrive—but we believe his adopter deserves to know his complete history.Jack’s Dream HomeWe can picture Jack thriving with a person or couple who wants a true companion—someone who will take him for neighborhood walks, let him ride along in the car, give him a window where he can watch the world go by, throw a squeaky toy for him, and make room under the covers at night.At 10 years old, Jack isn’t looking for the beginning of his story. He’s looking for someone special to give him the wonderful next chapter he deserves.We love this little dog tremendously. Finding him a new home is not something we ever imagined having to do, and choosing his new family will be done very carefully. Our greatest wish is to find someone who will love Jack as much as we do and give this smart, funny, loyal little guy a safe and happy home for the rest of his life. ❤️Rehoming Fee: $50* Must have met and greet Taylor McKinney(828)755-1300 | Collinsta29@gmail.com

RescueGroups record ID: 22784295

What this home needs

• Other dogs

  Mentioned by the shelter

  “Jack may be happiest as the only dog or possibly with another compatible small dog.He has lived around cats in the past, but it has been many years, so we cannot say with certainty how he would do with a cat today.ChildrenJack has lived in a home with a young child and has not shown aggression toward him.”

  Not a verified observation — ask staff about the context. A positive shelter report may support search results; it remains unverified and needs confirmation.

  Shelter statement ↗
• Still to ask the shelter

  cats · children · housing and stairs · medical and care. These details are not documented here; unknown does not mean no.

Roster last seen: Nov 2, 2026, 6:25 AM UTC
Goodmorph last synced: Nov 2, 2026, 6:25 AM UTC
Availability confirmed by a person: Not confirmed

Shelter staff and authorized volunteers: add a dated observation

This shared profile remains available for up to 90 days after it leaves the source roster, unless removal is requested sooner. Adoptions and applications are handled by the shelter.