Meet Smile, the tiny pup whose name perfectly matches her spirit — and her face. With a joyful grin that never fades, Smile is charming everyone she meets. But her journey to happiness didn’t come easy.
Born in a hoarding situation in Tijuana, Mexico, Smile spent her early years without love, care, or the basic necessities every dog deserves.
She was one of 24 dogs rescued by the At-Choo Foundation in California — all suffering from a painful skin condition. Fortunately, Smile’s case was mild.
Her photos quickly made their way to the team at No Dog Left Behind (NDLB) in Minnesota, and the moment they saw her hopeful eyes, they knew she belonged with them.
“We fell in love with the hope we saw in her eyes,” NDLB shared in a Facebook post. “Smile was destined to join our rescue.”
Thanks to Mutt Mutt Engine, Smile made the journey from California to Minnesota. At first, she was understandably frightened and defensive, but the moment she was gently carried from the van, something changed.
“Once she was out and no longer backed into a corner, she began to relax,” said Stephanie Easley, NDLB’s operations manager.
Even in quarantine, Smile began winning hearts. Her ever-present grin and watchful eyes let the rescue staff know she was still full of love.
“She sat up and smiled at me,” Easley recalled. “It was at that very moment she captured my heart.”
Easley couldn’t resist — she decided to foster Smile herself, giving her a quiet, safe place to heal.
Now, Smile wakes up every morning curled next to Easley, beaming with joy. Her tail wags, her smile shines, and her eyes speak volumes.
“The genuine love in her eyes is what makes her the most special dog I’ve ever met,” Easley said. “You can tell exactly how she feels just by looking at her.”
You can watch Smile smile at her foster mom here:
Though the Easley family adores her, they know they’re just a stepping stone on her journey.
“We love her with everything in us,” Easley said, “but we know we’re not her forever family. Our hope is she’ll find someone who makes her feel as loved as she makes us feel.”
Smile already has multiple adoption applications pending, and the rescue is confident she’ll find the perfect forever home once she’s fully healed.
Until then, she’s soaking up every cuddle and every moment — a world away from where her story began.
“Even through the pain, Smile is full of gratitude and trust,” NDLB wrote. “She knows the best days are still to come.”
To help dogs like Smile receive the love and medical care they deserve, consider donating to No Dog Left Behind.
