NASHVILLE – Nick Westbook-Ikhine had two childhood dogs.
When he got older, during his summers while in college at Indiana University, Westbrook-Ikhine created an account on Rover, a dog-sitting app that allowed him to spend time watching dogs on campus.
In February 2021, when Westbrook-Ikhine was on his own in Nashville, just a year into his NFL career with the Titans, he knew it was time to get a dog of his own.
Westbrook-Ikhine found Winston, a three-month-old Boxer/Australian Shepherd mix, at a dog rescue shelter in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, and he brought him home.
"It was exciting," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "It was right after I had ankle surgery after that rookie year, so I feel like it was therapeutic for me, too, giving me something to do. Now he's a part of our family.
"Winston has been great."
Westbrook-Ikhine is now doing his part to encourage others to find rescue dogs of their own.
On Tuesday, Westbrook-Ikhine will be at the Nashville Humane Association to help raise awareness for the upcoming 16th annual U.S. Mars Pet Adoption Weekend.
He'll talk about the importance of pet adoption, and the impact adopting a dog has had on his life.
Westbrook-Ikhine partnered with Mars to support the 16th annual Mars Pet Adoption Weekend. This year, Mars Pet Adoption Weekend will be from Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13, with Mars and its family of pet care brands covering more than $100,000 in adoption fees at 18 shelter partners across 14 cities in the United States. Four of these shelter partners are located in Nashville: Nashville Humane Association, Metro Animal Care and Control, Williamson County Animal Center and Wags & Walks.
Westbrook-Ikhine has a growing family. He married his long-time girlfriend, Hannah, last April, and the couple now has a four-month-old son, Aaron.
Each day starts with Winston heading to Aaron's crib.
"To adopt a dog, if someone is serious about getting a dog, is great," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "They end up being a part of your family, and that's very true about Winston. And there are some good dogs in shelters that need homes, too."
