Pet Spotlight: Jack the Terrier

By Priscila Ortiz

Today’s local Pet Spotlight is on Jack, a five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier rescue. We found Jack chewing on some sticks on a warm evening in front of the tennis courts in Fort Greene Park. His owner, Eric Lidman was lounging on a bench, keeping a watchful eye over his pooch.

According to Mr. Lidman, Jack was one hour away from being put down at the Manhattan Animal Care and Control Center, when an acquaintance of Mr. Lidman’s asked if he would foster Jack temporarily.

“Jack is a prime example that you can get the most fabulous dog as a rescue, and people need to start thinking more about that as a place to get their pets,” Mr. Lidman said.

“Jack is an ambassador for his breed,” he continued. “I like to think that when most people meet him, they immediately reconsider what they thought they knew about pit bulls.”

Mr. Lidman has had Jack for more than three years now, saying his first pet has forced him to grow up a bit.

“He’s done as much for me as I’ve done for him,” he said. “I think I’d weigh about 300 pounds if it wasn’t for Jack. He gets three or four walks a day.”

Jack, with a short but strong body, can be intimidating to others who don’t know him.

“He can be a little crazy. He’s wonderful with people, but he can just get excited,” Mr. Lidman said. “He doesn’t want to hurt you. He just wants to like wrestle you to the ground until you say uncle and then get up and do it again.”

Do you have a pet you’d like to see spotlighted on The Nabe? Send us a photo and short description of your pet at TheNabe@TheNabe.me.