When volunteer Liz Standley walked through the kennels at Dallas Animal Services with a pocket full of treats, she didn’t expect to meet a dog who would completely steal her heart. But then she saw her.
Sitting patiently behind the kennel bars was a pup named Cutie, her mouth curled into the gentlest little grin.
“She was sitting there so patiently and had this little smirk on her face,” Standley told The Dodo.
That smile was impossible to ignore. Standley opened the kennel door and was immediately greeted by a tail wag and a pup who climbed right into her lap.
“She was exactly how I thought she would be based on her little smile,” Standley said. “She was so friendly.”
Though she hadn’t planned on filming any dogs that day, Standley knew she had to share Cutie’s infectious joy. She posted a video of the smiling pup, hoping it might help her find a family.
Soon after, Standley learned the dog’s story: Cutie had been rescued just weeks earlier during an unusual cold snap in Dallas. She’d been wandering alone, desperately trying to find warmth. Despite her ordeal, she never stopped smiling.
“The fact that this dog still is excited to see people and has so much love to give … just shows me how resilient pets are,” Standley said.
Not long after the video went live, Cutie’s shelter profile disappeared from the adoption site. Standley hoped it meant she’d found her home — but she wasn’t sure.
Then, the best news arrived. Cutie’s new family reached out, letting Standley know that the video of her sweet smile had convinced them to adopt her. They renamed her Frida and were delighted to discover how perfectly she fit in.
“She’s doing just great,” Standley said. “She’s integrated into the family just perfectly.”
Now, instead of shivering on the streets, Frida spends her days curled up in warm blankets, surrounded by love.
While Frida has her happy ending, countless other dogs are still waiting in shelters for their chance. Choosing to adopt, volunteer, or support a rescue can change everything for animals like her.
Frida’s smile lit up a shelter — and now it brightens a home that was waiting just for her.
If you'd like to support other animals like Frida, you can make a donation to Dallas Animal Services here.
