Just down the hall from Gracie’s story is another beloved member of the Wise family. Oliver, a Lhasa Apso who lives with his family on Champions Boulevard, has shared 15 years of adventures, transitions and unforgettable moments with the people who love him most.

Oliver and Gracie were both selected through our Calling All Dogs campaign in partnership with The Heritage Hound Company, giving the Wise family the opportunity to celebrate two very different but equally treasured members of their household.

The family purchased their home inside Pinnacle Country Club in 2020 and quickly found a warm and welcoming community. They became fast friends with their neighbors and discovered a true village of families who gather together, check in on one another and offer genuine support.

Oliver has been part of that journey from the very beginning.

Oliver was adopted from a family in Gravette after their dogs unexpectedly had puppies and needed help finding homes for them.

He was originally intended to be a surprise for his owner’s mother. Her parents had owned a beloved Lhasa Apso when they were first married and throughout her early childhood, so she thought another dog of the same breed would be a meaningful and perfect gift.

Then she met Oliver.

During the first few weeks she cared for him, his playful personality and irresistible charm quickly won her over. At the time, she was navigating a major life transition. She was moving to Northwest Arkansas, beginning a new career and building a life in a place where she did not yet know many people.

Her parents recognized how much Oliver already meant to her and graciously encouraged her to keep him.

Looking back, she cannot imagine having faced that season of change without him by her side.

Oliver was named after the main character in Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist.

His owner had always loved the book and was especially drawn to Oliver’s sweet and gentle nature. The name felt like a natural fit and has suited him throughout his life.

Oliver is loyal, affectionate and happiest whenever he is close to his people. Even at dog parks or doggy daycare, he is often more interested in spending time with the humans than joining the other dogs.

He never meets a stranger and greets everyone with warmth, affection and a wagging tail.

Oliver may have turned 15 in August, but his family says his puppy personality still shines through.

He now moves a little more slowly, hears a little less clearly and smiles with fewer teeth than he once did, but his playful and loving spirit remains unchanged.

Oliver has always been exceptionally smart. As a puppy, he learned how to sit, stay, roll over, shake and even dance. His intelligence, combined with his desire to please, made training both fun and memorable.

His favorite treat is a Greenie, and he is still very capable of letting his family know when he believes he has earned one.

One of the family’s favorite memories happened during a heavy Northwest Arkansas winter storm in 2015.

It was Oliver’s first time seeing snow, and he immediately transformed the front yard into his own private playground. He pranced and frolicked through the fresh powder, burying his muzzle deep beneath the snow before digging and burrowing his way back out.

Each time he emerged, his face and beard were covered in snow.

The photographs from that day remain family favorites and perfectly capture Oliver’s playful personality and sense of adventure.

These days, Oliver prefers calm outings and quiet moments.

He enjoys slow walks, peaceful afternoons and finding a cool spot in the backyard where he can stretch out and sunbathe. Every once in a while, he will even take a dip in the pool with Gracie.

His neighborhood friend is Piko, a fellow rescue dog who lives nearby. Oliver and Gracie always enjoy stopping to visit Piko during walks around the neighborhood.

The family also appreciates the care Oliver receives from K9 Resorts in Rogers and Furry Land Mobile Grooming, both of which help keep him comfortable and looking his best.

Oliver entered his owner’s life during a time filled with uncertainty and change. What began as a thoughtful gift for someone else became a relationship that helped shape her own journey.

He has been there through moves, new beginnings, career changes and the building of a family and home. His steady companionship offered comfort when everything else felt unfamiliar.

Now, 15 years later, Oliver remains exactly where he has always wanted to be: close to his people.

As he enjoys his slower walks, sunny afternoons and occasional swims with Gracie, his family continues to treasure the dog whose loyalty, personality and gentle spirit have filled their lives for so many years.