Drew Collier named his dog Mr. Lover after the song of the same name by recording artist Shaggy but, "He got that name because he's a snuggler," said Collier," He's like a little teddy bear."

Mr. Lover is a mixed breed Pit Bull and African Ridgeback and Collier got him as rescue dog in 2007. As a puppy he had trust issues. "It took him like four packages of baloney to get him to like me," he said.

"I got him because he was barking like he wanted to kill you but he was shaking in his boots. He was tiny like the size of a hamster but just trying to hold his ground so I said, 'Oh I gotta get this guy,' "

Today, Mr. Lover eats, "the best that a dog can get," said Collier, "that good Pedigree stuff, Cesars, he likes that, the little dog loafs at PetSmart. Collier supplements Mr. Lover's diet with treats like pig ears, chicken bones, cow bones, pretty much any kind of bone he's with it. He doesn't like any of the fake bones."

Collier said Mr. Lover is "super smart because he can do any trick in the book even sniff out explosives," which Collier said he has trained him to do with gunpowder. "Down at the military base they have these little things of gunpowder you can get and I got him to just sniff it then put him in a room and shut the door, then go hide it anywhere in the room and let him out and he'll find it. He can find pot real well too."

Mr. Lover enjoys the snow, and will make snowballs if there's enough on the ground by rolling them up with his nose and paws and then, "kick them at you. It's real weird. He can catch a football too. He takes it to his chest and catches it with his 'forearms', " said Collier.

Many people have dogs go on walks or runs but Mr. Lover will tow Collier on rollerblades along Alki Avenue s.w. and not weave among people or get distracted by other dogs.

Collier and Mr. Lover often go to the Westcrest Dog Park where they both have made friends. "He's the man over there, "said Collier," He gets me friends too. He's a total babe magnet. That patch on his eye oh man. He picks them out for me."

Mr. Lover is an unusual looking dog with mixed black, brown and white markings and remarkable eyes. "What's weird is that he has white eyelashes. If you look at his eyes they look pretty human."

"He's changed my life for the best."

How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:

Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.

Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.