How Captain America is honoring his rescue dog for National Pet Month

Underneath all that armor, Captain American has a soft spot. That’s right – Chris Evans, Marvel’s Americana hero, is a doting pet parent and a total pushover when it comes to his dog Dodger.

“He throws one cute look and I’m very forgiving,” Evans told USA TODAY. A lifelong pet-owner, he’s particularly fond of having a canine companion. His current pup, Dodger, is a rescue that he got while filming a movie in Savannah, Ga.

For National Pet Month, Evans and Dodger are celebrating in style. The actor helped design The Dog Dream Box, a collection of treats and toys made in collaboration with the pet care brand JINX, a company that specializes in "clean" meals for pets.

“What I liked about JINX was that it was something that would be available to everyone,” Evans said, referencing what he views as an accessible price point. The Dog Dream Box will sell at Walmart stores across the country for $19.28. Not everyone can afford to feed their dogs more expensive meals than they can feed themselves, he jokes.

Only the best for man’s best friend

“Not to sound cheesy …. but it’s one of the purest relationships in my life,” Evans said of the bond he shares with Dodger.

Fame is unimportant to a dog, he said, which makes the relationship a grounding force in what can feel sometimes like an ungrounded life. “He loves me and that’s it,” Evans says, touting his dog’s honesty and the ability to consistently track the relationship based on the investment you put in.

“He really has a sense of you in a way beyond kind of the idea of you that maybe other people may have,” the actor said.

Despite plenty of misconception, Dodger is not named after the Los Angeles baseball team (Evans is a Massachusetts native.) The title comes instead from “Oliver & Company,” an animated flick from the 1980s based on the famed Dickens novel "Oliver Twist." Both feature “The Artful Dodger” a clever pickpocket character who notably also goes by “Dodger the Dog.”

That cool, sassy vibe seemed just right for his very own street dog, Evans says, opting to ditch “Benny” the name Dodger originally came with.

Celebrate National Pet Month 2023

Looking for a way to honor the dogs in your own life? National Pet Month arrives in May in the United States. These tips will help you celebrate by making sure your canine is well taken care of.

When is National Pet Day 2023?

National Pet Day was April 11, 2023.

If you missed it, no need to fret, everyday can be a good day to honor your furry friend if you have a good handle on pet care.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Captain America (and his dog Dodger) are ready for National Pet Month