Jennifer Aniston’s First Dog Actually Had a Surprising Connection to ‘Friends’
Jennifer Aniston recently revealed that her very first dog, Norman, came straight from the set of “Friends.” During an appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” she explained that Norman wasn’t just a pet but part of the show before he became part of her family. The story goes back to season two, in the episode “The One with the Baby on the Bus.” Joey and Chandler lose Ross’ baby, Ben, on a city bus, leading to a frantic search through the streets of New York. In one scene, a dog walker wrangles a pack of pups, and right there in the mix was Norman.
Jennifer was already considering adopting a dog and asked the on-set animal trainer if any were looking for homes. That simple question opened the door to a surprising connection. The trainer told her Norman was being retired from set work. He wasn’t suited for acting because he was “stubborn,” often missed his marks, and never fully cooperated. That might have made him a tough cast member, but to Jennifer, he was perfect.
Show Dog Becomes Family Member
At just a year old, Norman left behind the unpredictable world of television and moved in with Jennifer. She summed it up by saying, “I retired him and he became mine.” While Norman never hit his marks in front of the camera, he quickly found his place at home. He lived with her for many years, becoming her first faithful companion and sparking what would grow into a lifelong devotion to adopting rescue dogs.
Norman stayed by her side until his passing in 2011. To honor his memory, Jennifer had his name tattooed on her foot, a reminder she still carries. She affectionately called him “Normie,” and even while sharing stories about her current pets, she never misses a chance to talk about him.
Keeping Norman Close
The bond between Jennifer and Norman has remained a meaningful part of her life. During her conversation with Colbert, she reflected on how important that first adoption was and how it shaped her outlook on rescue animals. While Norman came into her life through unusual circumstances, the timing was exactly right. She had been thinking about adopting, and the moment he appeared in that “Friends” episode, everything fell into place.
Today, Jennifer is just as dedicated to her pets. She lives with two rescues, Lord Chesterfield and Clyde, who get plenty of attention from her and from fans on social media. Clyde even inspired her new project, a children’s cookbook called “Cook with Clydeo.” She described it as a collection of fun recipes for parents and kids, showing again how her pets have become part of both her personal and professional life.
A Sweet Beginning to a Lifelong Passion
Image via Getty Images/Majicphotos
Norman’s story is a reminder of how chance moments can shape someone’s life. A dog that didn’t follow commands on set ended up becoming the center of Jennifer’s world. That adoption set the stage for her ongoing commitment to rescue animals, a theme that continues to define her life today.
If you ever watch “The One with the Baby on the Bus” again, look closely at the pack of dogs. One of them wasn’t just filling space in the background. He was about to become Jennifer Aniston’s first dog and her most unexpected costar.