When it comes to dogs, their wholesomeness is undeniable. They constantly surprise us with their compassion, loyalty, and the joy they bring to our lives. All they ask in return is for us to be kind and take good care of them. For years, Sheryl Smith has dedicated herself to rescuing abandoned, mistreated, and ill animals, nursing them back to health, and helping them find loving homes. This is how she came to meet Shiro, an adorable puppy who has recently become viral for providing comfort to foster pets that come to his home.
Shiro was adopted almost two years ago after an exhaustive search for a forever home. Despite being deaf and partially blind, this cute dog had been in two animal shelters and twelve foster homes. He had also been adopted and returned four times.
However, Shiro’s life changed once he met Smith. Recognizing the great need for a loving home for this deaf dog, she made the decision to adopt him. Smith said, “He was a handful, but everyone else had given up on him, and we weren’t prepared to do the same. Shiro has been abandoned by so many people that it has caused him crippling anxiety. To this day, he still cries in the car because he thinks he’s being dropped off somewhere else.”
Despite being a bit of a handful himself, Shiro has helped take care of other foster pets that Smith brings home. This adorable blind dog does his best to comfort the new guests and make them feel welcome until they find their forever homes. Smith explains, “Just after his rescue, I rescued a pregnant dog who was too sick to care for her pups, so Shiro climbed in with them and started cleaning them. He’s done that with every rescue I bring in. He will just sit patiently with the feral cats/kittens and bonds so strongly with them that they trust him before they trust me.”
The most recent friend Shiro has made is a tiny kitten named Tiny Tolley. Smith took the cute kitten in after discovering how ill and malnourished she was. Ever since Tiny Tolley entered Shiro’s home, he has never left her side. Even after the kitten regained her strength, he waits by her crate to comfort her. When Smith puts the kitty on her lap, Shiro comes up to give her a big kiss. While it took some time for the kitten to adjust to the new surroundings and the presence of a big dog, she eventually started to recover and feel better, and Shiro played a big role in her healing process!
