For the past five years, the Patel family has enjoyed calling the neighborhood home. But one family member may be even more popular than the rest—Adi, their nine-year-old Maltese whose favorite pastime is spreading love to everyone he meets.

Jigna Patel and her family welcomed Adi home in March 2017 when he was just nine weeks old. Since then, he's been the perfect furry companion.

"He's been the best furbaby," Jigna says. "He's always been well-behaved."

Believe it or not, Adi almost had a very different name. For nearly five weeks after joining the family, he was known simply as the "no-name dog" because Jigna and her husband couldn't agree on what to call him. Names like Pablo and Gizmo were serious contenders, but somehow Adi ended up being the perfect fit.

What makes Adi special isn't a flashy trick or unique talent—it's his personality. According to Jigna, he's a good listener when he wants to be, and when he decides to listen, he'll do exactly what he's told. He's also earned an unusual level of trust from his family.

"He walks without a leash and will never run away," she says.

More than anything, Adi loves people. Whether he's meeting someone for the first time or spending time with family, his goal is always the same: share affection. Jigna describes him as a dog who simply loves everyone.

When playtime rolls around, Adi loves taking rides around the neighborhood with his "little bother", and Adi's favorite toy is a noisy "cat ball" that Jigna's husband bought for him years ago. Despite its age, it's still one of his most treasured possessions. And when it comes to treats, there's no competition.

"Chicken all day!" Jigna says.

Asked about her favorite memory with Adi, Jigna has a hard time choosing just one.

"Every single hour is a memory with my sweet boy," she says. "I couldn't have asked for a better dog."

Around the neighborhood, Adi's favorite destination is easy to find—his girlfriend Jewel's front yard. The two enjoy spending time together, and Jewel is also his favorite playmate.

While some dogs have favorite parks or pet-friendly destinations, Adi is much simpler. His favorite place isn't a location at all. As long as he's surrounded by the people he loves, he's happy.

After nine years with the Patel family, Adi has become much more than a pet. He's a loyal companion, a neighborhood friend, and a daily reminder that sometimes the greatest gift a dog can give is unconditional love.