Chris Evans has an extremely strong bond with his Boxer-mix rescue dog, Dodger.

In fact, he’s said his relationship with Dodger is “probably one of the purest” he has (which we’re sure his girlfriend Alba Baptista understands), and even has a tattoo in honor of the adorable pup. Since adopting Dodger in 2017, Evans has blessed the internet with tons of photos of himself and his sweet boy. Unfortunately, Evans deleted his Instagram and Twitter accounts in July — but there’s still tons of evidence out there that showcases just how much he loves his dog.

The “Ghosted” actor opened up about adopting Dodger in a since-deleted 2021 Instagram post. “I was filming a movie in Savannah and the scene took place at a shelter,” he wrote. “I had no intention of rescuing a dog that day, but the minute I saw him I knew he was coming home w me.” He went on to encourage fans to adopt. “There are so many loving animals at shelters who are in desperate need of a home. Visit a shelter and leave with a best friend.”

Keep reading to learn everything we know about Dodger and his adorable relationship with People’s latest Sexiest Man Alive.

Dodger

Evans first shared a photo of his pup, Dodger, on Valentine’s Day, 2017. “Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! From me and this desperate social climber,” he tweeted alongside a blurry photo of Dodger licking his face. Dodger, who was originally named Benny, was adopted by Evans from a shelter. “That’s the name the shelter gave him when he came in as a stray,” Evans said of the name Benny. “He was there for about a month. I can’t believe no one snagged him sooner!” Alongside another video from the day he adopted him, he wrote: “I knew right away that he was coming home with me, so I took this video to always remember our first hello. Rescue dogs are the best dogs!!”

Evans has shared so much about his furry BFF over the years, like that he loves his stuffed lion that sings, and even howls along with it. Actually, Dodger is a lover of all things and people. “My dog is still a pure, brand new soul, enjoying nonverbal bonds of love + acceptance w pretty much everything,” Evans shared.

He’s also shared the backstory of Dodger’s name: though he was called Benny for a month in the shelter, Evans chose the name Dodger for a seriously cute reason. “There’s a movie called ‘Oliver & Company,’ it’s an animated movie. I grew up watching it,” he said in an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “When I first saw him in the shelter, I just said, ‘Oh man, that looks like Dodger from “Oliver & Company.”‘ And then after I decided I was taking him home with me, I went through the process of thinking of other names and I just couldn’t get off Dodger.”

Perhaps the cutest fact involving Evans and Dodger’s bond is the tattoo Evans has in honor of his sweet boy, which he got shortly after adopting him. Evans shared a photo of Dodger lying on his chest, right over the tattoo of his own name, and later told Jimmy Kimmel of the ink: “It didn’t take much convincing. I’ll never regret that tattoo. I’ve regretted a few in my life, but not that one.”