Leroy Jethro Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, makes a noteworthy return in the first major crossover event between “NCIS” and “NCIS: Origins.” Although his appearance is brief, spanning only the initial minutes of “Funny How Time Slips Away,” viewers are introduced to a new companion in his life — a stray dog. Gibbs engages with the dog as though it were a human confidant, sharing his dinner scraps and acknowledging he has yet to name it, as the dog seems to have appeared from the woods without an owner. Sharing a moment of nostalgia, Gibbs recounts a personal story from his past to the attentive canine listener.

Whether Gibbs decides to keep the dog remains uncertain, but his affection for dogs is well-known and unsurprising. Both Gibbs and the actor who portrays him, Mark Harmon, have shown a longstanding appreciation for dogs. Gibbs even temporarily cared for a dog while still serving as an NCIS agent.

Devoted fans of “NCIS” might recall the episode “Kill Ari” from Season 3, where Gibbs’ love for dogs was so strong that it led to his suspension. He once found a dog taking shelter from the rain in a gazebo and chose to sit out in the rain himself, ensuring the animal stayed dry. Another memorable instance is in “Dog Tags,” when Abby (played by Pauley Perrette) names a dog Jethro after McGee (Sean Murray) accidentally injures it.

However, Lucy’s presence on the show is short-lived, possibly due to mixed reactions from fans regarding this storyline in Season 18. Just four episodes later, in “Unseen Improvements,” Gibbs decides to give Lucy to Phineas (played by Jack Fisher), a young former neighbor who assists with an investigation. Phineas helps recover a critical laptop, and Gibbs realizes that Lucy has chosen him. “Dogs pick their people. The minute you got here, she picked you,” Gibbs tells Phineas, showcasing his knack for connecting with children. Fans hope Gibbs’ new furry friend will have a more enduring presence in his life.

One of the most prominent dog-related Gibbs storylines occurs in Season 18’s “Watchdog.” An injured pup is found in the back of a transport vehicle. Gibbs ends up uncovering a dog fighting ring, and gets into a brawl with a suspect accused of drowning dogs. Gibbs is suspended, and the team has to bring in the perps without him. But Gibbs is ultimately rewarded when the injured dog, Lucy, becomes his new pet for the next few episodes.

Perhaps because some fans thought this was the worst storyline in Season 18, Lucy’s time on the show proves to be short-lived. Four episodes later, in “Unseen Improvements,” Gibbs gives his dog to a young ex-neighbor, Phineas (Jack Fisher), who’s in the middle of helping him out with an investigation. While Phineas helps them retrieve a laptop the team needs that is in his uncle’s posession, Gibbs tells him that it’s clear Lucy should be his animal. “Dogs pick their people. The minute you got here, she picked you,” he says, demonstrating one of his best skills — his ability to connect with kids on a one-on-one basis. Hopefully his new pal will have a longer shelf life at Casa Gibbs.