No dog wants to spend their days behind kennel bars, hoping for someone’s attention. Unfortunately, many shelter pups have no other choice but to wait for that one chance at a better life. Among them was Cutie, a shelter dog yearning for love and cuddles. She waited, eyes fixed on the passersby, hoping someone would stop and acknowledge her.
The Irresistible Smile On Cutie’s Face
Liz Standley, a volunteer at Dallas Animal Services, often shares videos of shelter dogs to help them get adopted. During one of her visits, she spotted Cutie, whose smile captivated her. “She was sitting there so patiently, and she had this little smirk on her face,” Standley recounted to The Dodo.
Recognizing that Cutie longed for affection, Standley opened her kennel door and cuddled her. Cutie snuggled into her lap, wagging her tail and basking in the love. Enchanted by her charm, Standley decided to spread the word about Cutie through a TikTok video.
Later, a fellow volunteer informed Standley of Cutie’s difficult past. Cutie had been found during a brutal cold spell, fighting to survive and seeking refuge from the freezing temperatures. Standley was inspired by Cutie’s resilience and trust in people. “After finding that out, I was like, ‘The fact that this dog still is excited to see people and has so much love to give and has a smile on her face just shows me how resilient pets are,’” she reflected.
Cutie Gets Her Happy Ending
Standley hoped her video would draw attention to Cutie and help her find a loving home. After checking the shelter’s website a few days later to find Cutie’s profile removed, she speculated that Cutie might have found her forever family. Soon after, her intuition was validated when Cutie’s new parents contacted Standley, revealing they had seen her video on TikTok.
Cutie’s adopters shared that the way she smiled in the video reminded them of their other dog. Cutie, now called Frida, is thriving in her new home, curling up in warm blankets and basking in the love and safety she never had before. She knows she will never face the cold again.
While Cutie has found her happy place, many shelter dogs still wait day after day for someone to give them a shot at happiness. If you’re considering welcoming a pup into your life, we encourage you to visit your local shelter and give a deserving dog the chance to steal your heart.
