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Smiling Shelter Puppy Captures Hearts, Finds Forever Home

Written by: Russel Moneva
Russel Moneva, a Viral Content writer at iHeartDogs, finds joy in both crafting engaging content and pursuing his passion for basketball and fitness whenever he's not immersed in his work.Read more
| Published on June 18, 2024

Every shelter dog carries a unique story, a narrative often filled with hope, resilience, and the search for a loving home. Burreaux, a black Labrador from Louisiana, epitomizes this journey. Alongside his siblings, Joe and O, Burreaux arrived at the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana, their futures uncertain but hopeful. Sarah Walton, a dedicated volunteer and fervent LSU football enthusiast, undertook the mission to rescue these puppies from animal control. Her commitment and affection for the trio were evident as she named them after LSU football players, setting the stage for their heartwarming journey to find forever homes.

Image Credit: Facebook

Sarah Walton, who named the puppies after LSU football players, brought the three 8-week-old puppies to the shelter, where they quickly became favorites among the staff. The volunteers knew that finding homes for these puppies was a top priority, and they were ready to do whatever it took.

Among the trio, Burreaux quickly distinguished himself with his charming personality. Every time someone spoke to him in a high-pitched, affectionate voice, he would flash a smile, showing off his teeth in the most adorable way. His unique grin was a clear indication of his playful and loving nature, making him stand out from the rest of the litter.

Sarah Walton shared more about Burreaux’s endearing habit in an interview with The Dodo: “It’s whenever you’re talking real sweet to him … he gets this smile like he wants something,” she said. “It’s like he’s telling you, ‘Come pet me, come love me.’” This heartwarming trait made Burreaux an instant favorite among the shelter staff and visitors.

Image Credit: Facebook

Despite Burreaux’s infectious smile, his brother Joe was the first to be adopted. Joe had a knack for playing fetch, a skill that quickly caught the attention of a family looking for an active and playful companion. “The entire litter was friendly and sweet, and they like to play,” Walton said. “Burreaux and his sister are starting to learn fetch, too.”

With Joe adopted, the shelter needed to find a way to showcase Burreaux’s unique qualities to potential adopters. While his fetch skills were still developing, Burreaux’s smile remained his most endearing feature. The volunteers decided to capture this charming habit on video and share it on the Humane Society’s Facebook page.

The video of Burreaux’s goofy grin quickly went viral, capturing the hearts of people far and wide. “We were thinking, ‘Burreaux wants a home so bad that he’s always smiling, trying to cute it up,’” Walton explained. The video resonated with viewers, and the shelter was flooded with inquiries about the smiling puppy.

Burreaux’s adorable strategy worked wonders. As more people saw the video, it became clear that his smile was irresistible. The attention from the viral video brought numerous adoption offers, and soon enough, Burreaux found his forever home.

Image Credit: Facebook

The Humane Society shared the joyous news on their Facebook page: “Happy life Burreaux!! Our sweet smiling boy who became social media viral with his grin has found his forever!!” The announcement was met with an outpouring of support and well-wishes from those who had followed Burreaux’s journey.

Now, Burreaux is thriving in his new home, where he continues to smile and spread joy. His new family adores him, and he has settled in beautifully, bringing happiness to everyone around him. Burreaux’s story is a testament to the power of a smile and the importance of giving shelter animals a chance to shine.

We’re thrilled that Burreaux has found a loving home where he can keep smiling and making people happy. His journey from a shelter puppy to a beloved family member is truly heartwarming. What a sweet boy!

Click the video below to watch this incredible story!

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