Every dog is a gift, but Smile stands out with her cheerful grin. This little rescue dog perfectly lives up to her name. Her ever-present smile shows her happy and positive nature.
Smile’s life started with many challenges. She was born in Tijuana, Mexico, in a hoarding situation where many animals were kept in poor conditions. For years, Smile longed for love and care. Her early life was full of hardship, but she never lost hope. When Smile was finally rescued by No Dog Left Behind (NDLB), her joy was clear. She greeted her rescuers with a radiant smile as if she had known them forever. Stephanie Easley, the operations manager at NDLB, told The Dodo: “She made the intake team fall madly in love.”
Smile had been through a lot. Before her life changed with NDLB, she was one of 24 dogs saved by the At-Choo Foundation in California. Each of these dogs suffered from a painful skin condition, though Smile’s was not as severe. Despite her struggles, Smile’s resilience shone through. When NDLB in Minnesota heard about her story, they felt an immediate connection. They wrote in a Facebook post: “We heard her story, we saw her pictures, and we fell in love with the hope we saw in her eyes. Smile was destined to join our rescue.”
Moving from California to Minnesota wasn’t easy for Smile. With help from Mutt Mutt Engine, she started her journey full of hesitation and fear. But once she felt safe, her trust began to grow. “Once she was out of the van and not in a position of feeling backed into a corner, she was much better,” Easley told The Dodo. “She curled up in a ball and laid there, just watching the volunteers work.” Although Smile’s skin condition required isolation, the team continued to shower her with love. And Smile responded with her namesake grin.
Seeing Smile’s need for a nurturing environment, Easley became her foster mom. Their bond grew stronger each day, filled with smiles from both Smile and Easley. “The genuine love in her eyes is what makes her the most special dog I’ve ever met. They’re expressive … you know exactly what she’s thinking or feeling just by looking at them.” Easley cherished their bond but knew Smile deserved a forever home tailored just for her. Smile’s enchanting aura attracted many families, and after she healed, her dream came true.
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