Chopper has the adaptability and maneuverability of a helicopter. He’s had to, to survive. This nine-month-old, neutered pup is a self-made house dog. And that was even harder than being a self-made man or woman.

For instance, the pup had to survive being forgotten and ignored by the person he needed. His first owner, when he was more interested in baby Chopper, fastened a collar on the puppy. When the shelter staff met Chopper, the collar was painfully embedded in the poor pup’s neck. It could have killed him. Instead he battled a horrible wound.

Then, at the shelter, the intelligent pup house-trained himself, figured out that fetching pleased people and found other ways to be charming. Now he deserves someone to enjoy his charm.