Neutered, Dogo mix, 3 years old and 55 pounds
Our hard-luck boy is hoping for a second chance. ❤️ Smiley first came to the shelter in December 2025, severely malnourished and weighing just 34 pounds. He immediately went into the care of our dedicated team, who worked hard to get him healthy and ready for a new life. Even so, it would be another 7 months before Smiley got his first chance at a home. In July 2026, Smiley was adopted by a family who quickly fell in love with him. He initially settled into the home beautifully, but unfortunately, some issues soon developed between Smiley and the family's other dog. After evaluation with a behaviorist, we discovered something important about Smiley: he is deaf. Because Smiley cannot hear what's happening around him, he can be easily startled when he's sleeping or otherwise unaware of his surroundings. When the resident dog would approach him unexpectedly in an attempt to play, Smiley sometimes reacted poorly to the surprise. His family was heartbroken but ultimately made the incredibly difficult decision to return Smiley to the shelter in hopes of finding him a home where he can truly thrive. We believe Smiley would do best as the only dog in the home and in an environment that is calm, predictable, and allows him to feel secure. And in every other respect, Smiley SHINES! ✨ He is wonderful with people, friendly, playful, and—true to his name—always smiling! 😁 You may also remember Smiley from one of our previous posts about his Happy Tail. This condition can happen when a dog wags their tail so enthusiastically that repeated impact against hard kennel walls causes recurring injuries. With Smiley's famously happy tail, we're especially eager to see him back in a home where he has the space and comfort to let that tail wag freely! This special boy has already overcome so much. All he needs now is someone willing to understand him, give him the environment he needs, and show him that his second chance can be the one that lasts forever. ❤️ Are you interested in meeting Smiley? Apply to adopt here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/.../animalcareservicespetado... Or call our adoption team at 707-467-6453.
