1-Eared Shelter Dog “Fixes” Favorite Toy So It Looks Just Like Him.

Bruno poses with his toy and new owner

Life is looking a lot better for Bruno than it did a few months ago.

The 1-year-old dog spent his whole life chained up outside before being rescued by the SPCA of Wake County in Raleigh, North Carolina. Unable to defend himself, the poor pooch lost his left ear when another dog attacked him. He also lives with heartworm disease from his life outdoors.

Heartworm disease is life-threatening and affects a lot of shelter dogs. Bruno requires medication, a fact that takes him out of the running for many potential adoptive families. Thankfully, Bruno found the sweetest way to get noticed among a sea of shelter dogs.

In a Facebook post, the SPCA explained that they’d given the dog a plush toy to keep him company in his crate. A staff member came in one morning and couldn’t believe what he’d done to the toy.

“Y’all,” they wrote. “Bruno tore one of the ears off his favorite stuffed toy – the same ear he’s missing himself. The staff member who found this couldn’t believe it, so she took these photos to show the rest of our team.”

After explaining how Bruno had lost his ear, they summed up their post with a beautiful truth:

“Bruno knows there’s nothing wrong with him, and now he has a best friend just like him to prove it. You’re perfect just the way you are, Bruno.”

We’re not crying, you’re crying!

Bruno’s plan worked like a charm. The SPCA’s Facebook post went viral, and the applications to adopt this adorable dog came pouring in. Three short days later they found the perfect forever home for him, and Bruno and his look-alike stuffie were packing their bags.

“Don’t be fooled by those pouty eyes,” they wrote in a comment. “Bruno’s tail was wagging so hard we thought it might fall off his body!”

“And just like that, Bruno has a new dad!!!” the shelter stated. “Of course, his matching stuffie HAS to go with him so they can be buds forever. Bruno’s adopter loves him just the way he is and promised to show Bruno nothing but unconditional love for the rest of his life.”

Not only did Bruno find a loving new owner who accepts him as he is, but the shelter received so many donations in his name that his heartworm treatment is paid up for several months. Other heartworm-positive dogs will now benefit from these much-needed funds!

That was a smart move, Bruno! Sometimes we just need to see ourselves represented, and this dog found the perfect way to do it.

Share this story to wish Bruno well as he starts his awesome new life.

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