Since 2000, lucky dogs on their last day in Bay Area shelters have found a safe place to land at Smiley Dog Rescue. Among them–our own past cover boy Rowdy.
This all-volunteer group takes them into foster homes, where they receive lots of TLC and socialization with people and dogs. Currently about 200 dogs a year, almost all from East Bay shelters, are adopted through Smiley Dog, through its website and at its mobile adoption events at Pet Food Express in Alameda and Lafayette.
Sasha, a sweet three-year-old retriever mix, is the rare Smiley Dog who didn't come from a shelter; she's a foreclosure victim. Her family lost their home but left her in the garage and kept feeding her while begging a friend who worked with the rescue to take her to safety. Sasha is now doing well in foster care, regaining her cheerfulness, and starting to look forward to a new life.