Jennifer Aniston Adopts 12 Senior Dogs, Calls Them Her “Golden Dozen” Each Dog Gets a Name from the Friends Cast. The oldest is named Ross — and he’s jealous. See All 12 Dogs Below

Each pup gets a name from the Friends cast — with “Ross” as the jealous eldest. See all 12 adorable dogs below.

In a heartwarming and unexpected gesture that’s capturing hearts across the internet, actress Jennifer Aniston has adopted twelve senior rescue dogs from a Los Angeles shelter — affectionately naming them after her beloved Friends cast members.

Calling the group her “Golden Dozen,” Aniston said the inspiration came from a recent visit to a local shelter where she learned that senior dogs, often overlooked for younger pups, are the least likely to be adopted.

“They were just sitting there, waiting,” Aniston shared in a video posted to Instagram. “Some had been there for over a year. My heart broke — so I brought them home.”

And just like that, the Emmy-winning actress who famously portrayed Rachel Green added a new role to her résumé: dog mom of a dozen.

“They’re My New Favorite Cast”

In true Friends fashion, each pup was given the name of a character from the hit show — and the results are as delightful as you’d imagine.

“The oldest one — a 16-year-old golden mix with serious attitude — is named Ross,” Aniston joked. “He thinks he’s the alpha. Very jealous if anyone else gets attention. Classic Ross.”

She continued, laughing: “Phoebe howls in her sleep. Monica keeps reorganizing the food bowls. Chandler has anxiety. And Joey? Joey just wants treats. All the time.”

Fans were quick to embrace the idea, flooding social media with comments like “Could this be any cuter?” and “She really said, I’ll be there for you, to every shelter dog.”

Meet Jennifer Aniston’s “Golden Dozen”

Here’s the full rundown of Aniston’s new four-legged family:

Ross – 16-year-old Golden Retriever mix. Moody, proud, and slightly territorial.

Rachel – 12-year-old Labrador. Elegant, affectionate, and loves to be brushed.

Monica – 13-year-old Border Collie mix. Obsessed with organizing toys.

Chandler – 10-year-old Beagle with separation anxiety and a perfect sarcastic bark.

Joey – 11-year-old Pit Bull. Food-motivated, flirty with the vet.

Phoebe – 14-year-old Husky mix. Howls at the moon and dances in her sleep.

Janice – 12-year-old Shih Tzu. Has a high-pitched bark and wears a pink bow.

Gunther – 13-year-old white Terrier. Always sits behind Rachel and stares longingly.

Mike – 10-year-old Boxer. Good with piano music and naps.

Emily – 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel. A bit of an outsider, still adjusting.

Carol – 12-year-old Dachshund. Smart, independent, and shares her bed with Susan.

Susan – 12-year-old Dachshund (bonded pair with Carol). Calm and thoughtful.

“They each have their quirks,” Aniston said, “but they all deserve love, especially now.”

Advocating for Senior Dog Adoption

Beyond the adorable naming scheme, Aniston hopes her story will raise awareness about the plight of senior dogs in shelters across the country.

“People think older dogs are broken or boring,” she said. “They’re not. They’re wise, loyal, and they need us. Adopting them might not change the world — but it changes their world completely.”

She’s teamed up with the Love For Paws Foundation to sponsor the adoption fees of 100 senior dogs this summer, encouraging others to consider giving an older pet a second chance.

The foundation has already reported a spike in interest following Aniston’s announcement. “Jennifer’s story is inspiring,” said founder Amy Carter. “She’s not just talking — she’s walking the walk. Or should we say, walking twelve walks a day!”

A Viral Sensation

Social media has exploded with love for Aniston’s “Golden Dozen.” Within 24 hours of her Instagram post, #GoldenDozen and #AdoptSeniorDogs began trending, with celebrities and animal lovers alike praising her compassion.

Courteney Cox commented, “Monica would be proud. Tell her to organize my house next.”
Lisa Kudrow added, “Does Phoebe know Smelly Cat?”
Even David Schwimmer got in on the fun, posting, “Of course Ross is jealous. Of course he is.”

Aniston’s Final Word

Asked how she’s managing with twelve dogs, Aniston smiled. “It’s chaos,” she said, “but it’s the best kind of chaos. My house has never been louder, messier, or more full of love.”

And when asked if she’d consider adopting more?

She grinned. “Never say never. I might need a few more names from the Friends universe.”

For now, though, Jennifer Aniston’s heart — and home — belongs to her Golden Dozen.