Reality is sad but inevitable: there are more dogs in the world than people with the ability and willingness to care for them. As much as we would like to see every dog in the world have a plate of food in front of them and a family to give them love and attention if their health deteriorates, many of them will never know that life. The best bet many of them can make is to live in a shelter. There they will have a roof, food and vaccinations, but they will have to share the care of the caretakers with all the other dogs. They won’t be special, but it’s better than living on the streets.
Photo credit: @HSNWLA
Having so many dogs in one place always gives all kinds of stories to come out of the walls of the shelter and reach those of us who live outside the land of dogs. Some are not very encouraging, like those of little dogs that, in spite of having been treated with all the necessary care and attention, succumbed to some illness or to the injuries that were sustained in an accident. But apart from them, there are those who manage to have a happy life, thanking the caretakers for taking care of them every day, using their affection and their eternal capacity to play and have fun.
Photo credit: @HSNWLA
A puppy named Burreaux, a member of the Humane Society of Northwestern Louisiana, has captivated not only the caretakers of his shelter, but also all the other visitors who come to give the orphaned dogs a little time, love and food. What has set Burreaux apart from the others is that when spoken to in a high-pitched, gentle voice (the one we all use to talk to puppies, even if we don’t like to admit it), he responds with a very particular gesture.
Unlike other dogs that would lower their heads or wag their tails, Burreaux smiles like a child. He shows a smile full of puppy teeth. Managers have said his smile is totally adorable: no one can resist coming up to him and giving him a little love after seeing something this adorable.
Photo credit: @HSNWLA