Jack's full name is Jack-o'-lantern, a nod to the night he was adopted: Halloween.
When Peggy and John Gallo said goodbye to their dog, Cooper, in 2021, they were certain they would never have another dog. Then along came Jack.
Jack, an 8-year-old shih tzu, technically belongs to the Gallos' daughter, Carson Lee, and her boyfriend, Bryson. But after living with Peggy and John for most of 2024 and through July 2025, he earned another title: beloved granddog. "Very spoiled by the grandparents," Carson Lee and Bryson confirm.
His name may be festive, but his personality is sweet and easygoing year-round. At night he slept on the bed near their feet. By morning he would work his way up to Peggy's pillow and curl around her head. Then he would find John and make sure breakfast was served. Once he had eaten, he would pester Peggy until she put on her sneakers for their morning walk.
The walks around the neighborhood loop became one of Jack's favorite activities. He is a friend to seemingly every human he meets, and he loves seeing who is out and stopping to say hello. His tastes at the table are particular: forget ordinary dog treats. He prefers American cheese, bacon and meat.
The family jokingly calls Jack a "low-key emotional support dog." If someone is upset or overwhelmed, they say, he seems to sense it and insists on being held until things calm down. He is also an enthusiastic traveler who loves car rides, especially trips to visit family in New Jersey and New York.
In July 2025, Jack moved with Carson Lee and Bryson to Austin, Texas, leaving Peggy and John with a much quieter house. Distance hasn't changed his attachment to his Charlotte home. Whenever Peggy and John visit Austin, they try to convince the "kids" to let Jack come home with them until their next visit. When he returns to Charlotte, he can't wait to walk his familiar loop, revisit his favorite spots and greet the people he remembers.
"He just makes every day so pleasant," Peggy says. "He fills our hearts with love."
This story appears in the November 2026 issue of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club. Read the full edition here.