The Hix family, Ty, Jenn, Owen, Margo and Connor, adore their lovable 4.5-year-old standard goldendoodle, JoJo, whose full name is actually Jolene.
While JoJo may have a surprisingly deep bark that Jenn jokingly compares to Miley Cyrus, her family says her gentle personality and affectionate nature make her impossible not to love.
The family welcomed JoJo home in December 2021 from a small family breeder in the Greenville area after deciding their older dog, CaliGirl, a cockapoo, could use a companion. Jenn says their youngest child, Connor, led the charge to convince the family it was time for another puppy.
Connor also chose JoJo's name after an anime character named Jolene who went by the nickname "JoJo." As a devoted Dolly Parton fan, Jenn says she immediately approved of the choice.
JoJo has fully embraced her role as the family's emotional support dog and constant companion. Whether someone is lounging on the couch, working around the house or relaxing in bed, she can almost always be found curled up nearby. One of her favorite sleeping spots is a cozy beanbag chair in the kids' room, although she is equally happy snuggled up beside family members whenever possible.
Like many doodles, JoJo has an especially expressive way of showing affection. She is known for gently placing her paw on someone's arm as her not-so-subtle request for attention and chin scratches. She also has a hilarious habit of carefully stealing Ty's ball cap straight off his head, carrying it away delicately, setting it down and then proudly laying beside it.
"Hers is da best Big Lady," Jenn jokes, laughing about the special "doggo language" every family eventually develops with their pets. "She understands every word, except maybe the less important ones like 'drop it,' 'stay' and 'no bark!'"
The Hix family says JoJo's bark may be big, but her heart is even bigger. After losing her older dog companion several years ago, JoJo became a little unsure around unfamiliar dogs. Jenn believes the obvious solution is simply adding another furry family member someday, and encourages neighbors to help convince Ty that it is, in fact, "a great plan."
To recommend a pet to be featured, please email Delia at ballantyne@strollmag.com.
This story appears in the July 2026 issue of Stroll Firethorne. Read the full edition here.