Meet Smokey, the rescue dog who won't leave home without his toy elephant. His previous owners lost their home and were unable to care for the dog.
On Valentine's Day, the 5-year-old dog was surrendered to the Franklin County Dog Fostering and Adoption Center, along with his favorite toy "so he can find comfort" in it. Smokey is so in love with his plush pink-eared gray elephant that there was a notice on his kennel saying he and the elephant should be adopted together.
The elephant was the only thing that brightened Smokey's days at the shelter. Smokey, who seemed very shy and anxious, had a sad few weeks away from playing with the toy. Smokey was supposed to be put down in March...
Then, one day, two volunteers from the I Have a Rescue Dream charity showed up. They quickly fell in love with Smokey and vowed to find him a foster home.
The dog can't stop smiling now because he knows he will have a new home. “He was depressed and sleeping with his elephant until [the volunteer] started talking to him,” recalls Melissa Sutherland, treasurer of I Have a Dream. “It's incredible what the rescue does for pets.”