Eli Montgomery Hill is a charming 4-year-old Standard Poodle who's stolen the hearts of his family and community. Eli is what you might call a classic COVID puppy, joining the Hill family during the pandemic when they decided, "We needed a puppy," as KD Hill, Eli's mom, puts it.

The fluffy bundle of joy was a surprise birthday gift from KD’s mom, Sharon Douglas, and was found as an 8-week-old pup on Craigslist. Eli was a surprise to Grayden, KD’s husband, when he walked in to discover the new family member with all his puppy things.

Named by the Hills' daughter, Emily, Eli is fiercely loyal to her when she’s home from UT Austin. When Emily's away, KD is his go-to person. True to his Poodle heritage, Eli is a water lover, diving into the  pool or creek whenever he gets a chance. "He's the only reason we have a pool," KD laughs, noting that Eli also makes a pretty good fishing companion.

Eli's diet is carefully curated with salmon-based grain-free kibble, and he has a particular fondness for sweet potatoes and frozen blueberries. But Eli isn’t just about play; he takes his role as the "chief K9 in charge" at Barrow Brewing Co. seriously, inspecting the grounds and greeting everyone with a wagging tail. With a packed schedule, including "school" at The Dog Spot and a regular Poodle Party meet-up, Eli is a busy pup.

KD’s eyes light up when she talks about him, admitting, “He’s made me that obsessed dog-mom I said I would never be.”