Sanford is a little ray of sunshine in the shape of a dog. The senior pup has a radiant smile that rarely leaves his face. He’s just one big bundle of joy and likes to spread his happiness to everyone around him with his huge grin — but life hasn’t always given him a reason to smile.
Sanford was once described as a “broken dog and forgotten dog.” In fact, he was in such a bad state, even the longtime rescuers who had ‘seen it all’ were shocked by his story of animal mistreatment.
Source: DallasDogRRR
In April of this year, Sanford was taken in by animal control after being hit by a car, which left him unable to walk. Rescuers also discovered he had a bullet wound in his right hind leg.
When the animal control officers found him, they took him to a small shelter in Dallas, Texas, where he stayed for a week. Due to a lack of resources, Sanford was unable to receive any medical treatment during that time.
He was forced to lay in his cell, alone, covered in road rash, and with a bullet wound still present in his legs.
Source: DallasDogRRR
Source: DallasDogRRR
It was in that state a volunteer from Dallas DogRRR found him.
“He was physically broken, and when the volunteer went to see him, he didn’t really make any effort to come and say hello,” the executive director of Dallas DogRRR, told The Dodo.
Source: DallasDogRRR
The organization described his situation as ‘absolutely sickening’ and vowed to save him. “We can’t imagine the pain he has been in, but we’re going to try to help him,” they wrote on Facebook
Dallas DogRRR claimed Sanford and quickly got him to the hospital where he could be treated for his injuries, it turned out that he didn’t have any life-threatening injuries.
Source: DallasDogRRR
Sanford was completely apathetic. It seemed like life had treated him so cruelly that he’d simply decided to give up and wait for it to be over. However, things suddenly changed as soon as Sanford first went into foster care.
Shortly after being released from the hospital, Sanford was placed in the home of Karen Velazquez, and once he realized that he was finally safe, he couldn’t stop smiling.
Source: DallasDogRRR
“He has been all smiles ever since. I think the minute he came to my home, he realized he was in a safe place.”, Velazquez told The Dodo.
Source: DallasDogRRR
Source: DallasDogRRR
Sanford, now spends his days eating home-cooked meals, going for daily walks and playing with Velazquez and her other dogs. At 10 years old, Sanford is considered a senior — but he doesn’t act his age.
Source: DallasDogRRR
“He looks at me in a way that no other animal or human has ever looked at me, including my own pets. Essentially, the only time he is not smiling is when he is asleep or eating,” she told the Dodo.
Source: DallasDogRRR
Thankfully, Sanford has a brand-new love of life and is finally safe and sound. He has since left Velazquez and has found his forever home.
Source: DallasDogRRR
The future is looking bright for Sanford and we know he’ll keep dazzling everyone with his beautiful smile.
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