Sanford is a ray of sunshine in the shape of a dog.

The senior pup has a radiant smile that rarely leaves his face. He lives with his foster mom and loves everyone he meets; dog or human, adult or child.

He’s just one big bundle of joy and likes to spread his happiness to everyone around him with his huge grin.

When you see him, it seems hard to believe that that there was a time when he wouldn’t smile; that there was a time when he was so hurt and broken-down that he’d given up on life.

But unfortunately, life hasn’t always treated Sanford the way he deserves.

Just this spring, Sanford was described by the dog rescue group Dallas DogRRR as a ”broken” dog.

In April of this year, Sanford was hit by a car and brought to a local shelter. The shelter was overfilled, and poor Sanford did not receive the care and attention he so desperately needed.

For a week, Sanford lay in his cell, hurt and alone. He didn’t receive the medical attention he needed, despite the fact that he couldn’t walk after the car accident and he had been shot in the hind leg.

Sanford was completely apathetic. It seemed like life had treated him so cruelly that he’d simply decided to give up and wait for it to be over.

It was in that state a volunteer from Dallas DogRRR found him.

“He was physically broken, and when the volunteer went to see him, he didn’t really make any effort to come and say hello,” the executive director of Dallas DogRRR, told the Dodo.

Dallas DogRRR claimed Sanford and quickly got him to the hospital where he could be treated for his injuries

Shortly after being released from the hospital, Sanford was placed in the home of Karen Velazquez, and once he realized that he was finally safe, he couldn’t stop smiling.

Sanford has turned into the happiest dog Velasquez has ever met. And she should know – she’s already fostered over 50 dogs.

“He looks at me in a way that no other animal or human has ever looked at me, including my own pets. Essentially, the only time he is not smiling is when he is asleep or eating,” she told the Dodo.

Sanford has a brand-new love of life and is finally safe and sound.

Now, he’s just waiting to find his forever home.

That shouldn’t be a problem though, as the smiley dog gets along with everyone he meets.

And who could possibly resist that smile?

The future is looking bright for Sanford and we know he’ll keep dazzling everyone with his beautiful smile.