At first, the name Reaper might make you do a double take. But spend even a few seconds with this 9-year-old black lab, and it becomes clear there’s nothing intimidating about him, unless you count his unstoppable tail wag and his talent for demanding treats. Reaper was born in Tennessee on November 28th and joined the Ross family—Stephanie, Clay, and Mishele—in 2016. Since then, he’s become a constant presence in their lives, filling the house with energy, affection, and just a little bit of chaos.

His name comes from the Ross family’s love of Halloween and horror, along with the classic song (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult. But while the name might sound dramatic, Reaper himself is anything but. He’s incredibly friendly, always eager to meet new people and dogs and greeting everyone like they’re an old friend he hasn’t seen in years. 

When it comes to food, Reaper is not hard to please. He’ll happily accept just about any treat, though Milk-Bones are his clear favorite. Fridays are especially exciting in the Ross household—dubbed “Full Treat Friday”—a weekly tradition that Reaper takes very seriously. That said, he doesn’t limit his enthusiasm to just Fridays. Around 2 p.m. every day, he suddenly becomes very attentive, hovering close by as if to remind everyone that dinner time is approaching.

Over the years, Reaper has grown especially attached to Stephanie. She describes him as her “personal shadow,” and it’s not an exaggeration. Wherever she goes, Reaper is usually right behind her, whether she’s moving around the house or working in her home office, where he often settles under her standing desk. 

Despite being a retriever, Reaper isn’t exactly committed to the job. Fetch usually lasts only a few throws before he decides he’d rather be chased instead. His favorite playmate is Clay, who jokingly calls himself Reaper’s “personal chew toy.” Their games often end with Reaper launching himself onto his dog bed, sending it—and himself—sliding across the floor. Even with all that energy, Reaper has a gentle side. While he might play rough with Clay, he’s incredibly soft with the rest of the family. Instead of chewing, he simply licks, making it clear he knows the difference. 

Reaper also loves getting out of the house. One of his favorite places is Willis D. Tucker Community Park, where he can run freely at the off-leash dog park—often faster than anyone can keep up with. He’s also a big fan of Buffalo Espresso, where he waits (not very patiently) for a pup cup and enjoys the attention from everyone around him. On warmer days, trips to Penny Creek Nature Area might include a swim, while visits to Tapped Public House mean relaxing under, or sometimes on the bench, while his family grabs a bite to eat.

At home, Reaper keeps himself busy in his own ways. He can often be found “watching TV,” which really just means looking out the window from his spot on the couch. He also loves stuffed animals more than bones, though they don’t usually last long—many have had to be sewn back together after one of his play sessions. Although the family has bought him several dog beds over the years, Reaper made his preference clear early on: he’d rather sleep on the bed with Stephanie and Clay, usually right at their feet. It’s a habit they’ve learned to live with. And when they’re not home, Reaper often makes his way to Mishele’s room instead.

Reaper may have a name inspired by something spooky, but at his core, he’s just a big, loving dog who wants to be near his family, play whenever he can, and never miss a meal—or a treat.