From shy to safe: Dog with megawatt smile goes home

Gremlin tried to put on a brave face, but he couldn’t do it. The tiny pup was just too nervous. It was the day of the mobile adoption event, where dogs from the Best Friends Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles would potentially meet their new families. Excitement filled the air, but Gremlin was scared. He preferred the security of his kennel over all the hustle and bustle. One by one, other dogs got adopted and headed off to their new homes. At the end of the day, Gremlin still hadn’t been chosen. But don’t worry — he would get his happy ending after all.

Gremlin came to the pet adoption center 10 days prior from a Los Angeles city shelter. Best Friends’ goal is for all shelters to reach no-kill, and that means working together with other animal welfare organizations to save pets’ lives, giving each one what they need to move out of the shelter and into a happy new life.

[Let’s celebrate the mutt every day!]

This little tan dog with the world’s best underbite smile delighted everyone who met him. Grinning Gremlin wanted nothing more than to be with people (preferably right in their laps). During his initial veterinary exam, his tail never stopped wagging, and the vet team gave Gremlin a clean bill of health.

When volunteer Athena signed up to work at the adoption event, she had no idea her life was about to change. Staff asked Athena if she would spend the day with Gremlin to help him overcome his event-day nerves. Athena gladly stepped in, getting Gremlin out of his kennel and onto a leash. Having a support buddy by his side made Gremlin feel at ease.

[Hundreds of pets go home from L.A. super adoption]

Gremlin and Athena spent the next few hours chatting with potential adopters and enjoying their time together. By the end of the event, no one had adopted Gremlin — but he would still be going home soon. Athena realized she couldn’t part with her new pal and adopted him herself. She was bringing love home.

Today, Gremlin has countless reasons to smile. He’s got new friends, trips to the park, cozy spots to cuddle up, and all the love he could ever need.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.