When 2 year old Cheech was seen baring his teeth at a shelter in Texas, many of the volunteers thought that he was snarling in fear, writesThe Dodo. Having been brought in off the streets, nobody knew how he would react to humans, or if he'd ever even been around them.He was waiting to be checked over when Leah Sipe, director ofthe City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue, went to go and see him.
Source: City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue/Facebook
He flashed her one of his confusing grins then, perhaps to reassure her that he definitely wasn't growling, changed tack and tried out a very smooth smile instead!
Source: City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue/Facebook
Sipe told The Dodo:
I went into the kennel to check him out and yelled for the other volunteers to come look. They thought I was insane and that he was snarling, when I stuck my hand in the cage I thought they were going to pass out. He's as friendly as can be!
Cheech's charismatic smile was so lovely that Sipe just had to post the photos on Facebook. They quickly went viral, being shared nearly 8000 times by people who were charmed by the little dog.
Source: City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue/Facebook
Within a week, over 50 people had applied to adopt him - clearly more than enough, especially when there were plenty of other dogs needing homes in the shelter! As Sipe remarked on Facebook, "if everyone fought over our other dogs like they areCheech [...]my life would be much easier!"After sifting through and considering tens of applications, the lucky pup was finally placed with Carrie, a woman who had lost her dog, Shepherd, to cancer just days before seeing Cheech online.
Source: City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue/Facebook
Her other dog, Dusty, was devastated and depressed after Shepherd's death. But as soon as they saw Cheech, it was love at first sight. Everyone knew that this was where he belonged.Thanks to donations from the public, Cheech was vaccinated and neutered - although apparently he wasn't pleased about wearing his 'cone of shame'! Nonetheless, he is now happy and enjoying a life of love and cuddles in his new home.
Source: City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue/Facebook
The City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue is a new shelter based in Waller, Texas, who rescues dogs from shelters where they are scheduled to be euthanized. It has not officially opened yet, but will do later this week on November 12.
H/t: The Dodo
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