Sports journalist and broadcaster Taylor Rooks couldn’t have been happier to show off her basketball skills ahead of her Dodo Dream Date with Jeff — an adorable, adoptable little dog who enjoys fun and games as much as she does.
“I already know I’m going to fall in love,” Taylor said.
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Taylor and Jeff’s date kicked off with a thrilling game of Shoot and Score. It involved mini basketballs aimed at pink metal buckets, with each bucket containing toys, treats and questions to help the pair get to know one another.
Jeff was very eager to start, scoring a tasty treat after Taylor’s very first shot.
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That was followed up by a get-to-know-you question for Taylor. She revealed that basketball star Tyrese Haliburton would be the NBA player she’d call to dog-sit for her own pup, Bean. Turns out, Tyrese and his wife, Jade, are dog lovers, too.
“I know they would take such good care of Bean,” Taylor said. “They’re also just incredible people.”
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Taylor sank her second shot, earning Jeff a brand-new toy — which he immediately claimed as his own.
Then the pair played a quick round of tug-of-war with Jeff’s plush new plaything.
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Next, Taylor spoke of her work as an Emmy-award-nominated journalist for Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage this basketball season. She mentioned wanting the chance at an interview with LeBron James. And Jeff, with a wagging tail, seemed to agree that would be a fun opportunity.
“Do you also want to talk to LeBron James? Oh my gosh. Get in line, Jeff,” Taylor joked.
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With more shots taken and buckets emptied, Taylor and Jeff continued to get to know one another even better. It became clear to Taylor what a perfect home for the pup would be like.
“Definitely a home where they love, love, love to play,” Taylor said. “A place to give him a lot of attention and care, I think, would be amazing for Jeff.”
And Taylor certainly knows a thing or two about what it means to show caring.
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Through her work with the Taylor Rooks Foundation, she helps empower and uplift underserved communities. The foundation’s work in providing extra support for teachers and students is especially close to her heart.
Her sense of service for others, Taylor said, was inspired in part by the example set by her grandmother, Caroline.
“She wants everyone to be good and healthy and happy and fed,” Taylor said.
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Before long, all the buckets were emptied, and Jeff was showered with extra treats and toys. But he’d receive even more before his Dream Date with Taylor was through.
Taylor gifted him a goodie basket filled with plenty of additional plush and squeaking toys and treats to carry along with him when he finally gets adopted.
“So, all of these are so you never forget me and you always remember our date,” Taylor said.
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The playful pup was clearly smitten with Taylor — and the feeling was mutual.
“So many things I love about Jeff, and this has been an incredible date,” Taylor said. “Jeff has won me over.”
You can watch the full dream date video here.
