Jason Hardesty, a courrier for UPS based in New Orleans, has become famous on social media thanks to the heartwarming photos he takes during his deliveries. Jason has a special weakness for dogs and has turned his love for these animals into a viral project: every time he meets a dog on the job, he takes a selfie with the new furry friend and shares it on Instagram with the hashtag #pupsofjay. The idea began in 2017 when he received a new route that took him to a pet-friendly neighborhood with many dog owners. Since then, his collection of photos with dogs (and occasional other animals) has been growing and gaining popularity.
The first selfie with a puppy, taken spontaneously, was so successful that Jason started posting new photos every Friday. Today, his Instagram profile has over 172,000 followers, with each post receiving thousands of likes and comments from adoring fans. They love the images that show his affectionate relationship with animals, and many comment on how positive and sweet it is. “What a lovely thing to do… and even more lovely to share on this platform!”, writes one user, while others thank Jason for his sympathy and the smiles he brings with his posts.
Now, Jason's notoriety is such that it's not just the dogs that notice him; often it's even the dog owners themselves who ask him to take a photo with their pet. Some even joke that their animal will become “famous” thanks to him. Jason never says no and enjoys immortalizing every encounter with joy, even amidst the chaos of his daily work, which sometimes includes up to 50 deliveries.
For Jason, this is a way to bring some lightness to the monotony of his job, and he reports feeling appreciated by the animal owners, who now recognize him and greet him warmly. Although dogs are the star of his profile, Jason also includes photos of cats, rabbits, and hedgehogs. However, he admits that his favorite photos are those taken with puppies. Despite this, he emphasizes that his commitment remains the same: to deliver every package accurately and on time.
As he walks from door to door, Jason's warm personality and genuine love for animals shine through in his selfies. His Instagram account is a treasure trove of feel-good moments, where we get to experience the simple joys of life through his lenses. Jason's viral fame has also brought a positive impact to his daily life, as he says goodbye to strangers who, years ago, would just take a package and a few minutes of his time, now become friends who can't wait to hug and snap a photo with the UPS courrier. In this age of constant uncertainty and chaos, Jason Hardesty's social media account is a ray of sunshine that reminds us to cherish the little moments that bring us joy.