Rescue dog uses his smile to help find a forever home

Though City of Waller Animal Shelter and Rescue in Waller, Texas won't open for another two-and-a-half weeks, one shelter pup is already swimming in adoption offers.

Cheech, a pup who entered the shelter on Thursday, has pulled in a ton of attention for the pet shelter thanks to the dog's massive, toothy grin, KSAT reports. Photos of the "smiling" rescue first appeared on the shelter's Facebook page on Thursday, and more were posted on Friday. Those photos have since been shared more than 5,800 times.

The post was such a success that the shelter issued an update with background on their facility (it was started by a group of first responders), and a link to a pet adoption form for those looking to take Cheech home. Naturally, the applications rolled in.

"Cheech has MANY applications turned in, however we have tons of great homeless pups available," an update to the the post reads. Per a later update, one prospective applicant even phoned the County Sheriff's Office in hopes of learning more about the dog, a practice the shelter advises against.

They've even shared follow-up posts encouraging applicants to consider other rescue dogs staying with the shelter. Still, the Cheech updates keep coming:

A new update from the shelter said that application reviews for Cheech began Monday. Good luck to the applicants – the competition sounds stiff.

[H/T: KSAT 12]