Meet Naco: The Dog Who Never Stops Smiling
At first glance, Naco doesn’t look like a dog who has been waiting years for a family. His wide grin stretches across his face almost all the time, his pink tongue lolls happily out, and his eyes sparkle with curiosity. He loves the little things in life — a splash in a kiddie pool, the warmth of the sun on his back, and the chance to lounge in the grass.
But behind that permanent smile is a heartbreaking truth: Naco has spent more than 2,500 days — nearly seven years — living at the Animal Defense League (ADL) of Texas.
When he first arrived in 2018, staff named him after Nacogdoches Road, where he had been found wandering alone. He wasn’t injured, didn’t have a microchip, and no one ever came forward to claim him. Since then, Naco has watched countless other dogs find families, while he’s stayed behind in his kennel, waiting.
A Calm, Easygoing Personality
Described by longtime ADL volunteer Cheryl Frawley as “a no muss, no fuss kind of guy,” Naco has a personality that makes him easy to love. He isn’t a high-maintenance dog or one that demands constant activity. Instead, his idea of a perfect day is simple: a sunny yard, a soft patch of grass, and someone nearby to keep him company.
“He just wants to lay out and sun himself,” Frawley explained. “He’s content just being present, doing his own thing.”
While Naco enjoys independent play and lounging, he’s also a fan of toys and lighthearted wrestling with humans he trusts. What makes him truly special, though, is his adaptability. He adjusts his play style depending on the person — rowdy with those who want energy, gentle with those who prefer calm.
Life Outside the Shelter (Even If Just for a Weekend)
Though Naco has never been formally adopted or fostered, he has occasionally experienced life beyond the shelter walls. One ADL volunteer, who adores him, often takes him home for weekend visits. During those stays, Naco thrives. He doesn’t chew shoes, wreck furniture, or cause chaos. Instead, he settles into home life easily, enjoying the comfort of companionship.
It’s become clear that Naco does best as the only pet in a quiet household, ideally without small children. This preference may be one reason why he’s been overlooked for so long. But despite his years in the shelter, Naco has never lost his ability to connect warmly with people.
Friendly With Dogs — Just Selective About His Space
Some might assume Naco struggles with other dogs since he hasn’t been adopted yet, but that isn’t the case. At the shelter, separated by chain-link fences, he often greets his canine neighbors politely. With female dogs especially, he has an endearing way of letting out a little whimper, almost as if he’s flirting.
Still, Naco enjoys having his own space and doesn’t necessarily want to share a household with other pets. That preference shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression — it simply means he values peace and routine.
A Bark, A Smile, and a Heart Full of Love
Over the years, staff and volunteers have come to know Naco’s quirks inside and out. He even has a special bark reserved for the people he knows best, a unique greeting that lets them know he recognizes and trusts them.
Last year, his story briefly went viral when Newsweek covered his record-setting shelter stay, but even with all that attention, a forever family never came.
Some adopters are put off by his strength on the leash. At 70 pounds of muscle, he can pull when he’s excited — especially right outside the kennels where the energy runs high. But as Frawley points out, “He’s strong on the leash at first because he’s excited, but the further away we get, the better he walks.” With a harness and consistency, his leash manners continue to improve.
Why Is Naco Still Waiting?
The staff at ADL admit they don’t understand why Naco hasn’t found a permanent home yet. He’s house-trained, playful, affectionate, and healthy. He isn’t particular about food, doesn’t require special care, and has no medical issues that would make him harder to adopt.
What he does need is simple: a family who will give him patience, love, and a backyard where he can soak up the sun.
“If somebody you know has a house with a yard, that would be awesome for him,” Frawley said. “You could just sit with your coffee on the patio while he lounges in the sun, because that’s really his favorite thing.”
After more than 2,500 days, Naco’s smile hasn’t faded. He continues to greet people with joy, to adapt to those around him, and to patiently wait for the life every dog deserves.
He doesn’t ask for much — just a quiet home where he can nap in the sunshine, splash in a kiddie pool, and curl up next to the humans who finally choose him.
For now, Naco remains at the Animal Defense League of Texas, still smiling, still waiting. But for the right family, this lovable boy is ready to turn those 2,500 days of waiting into a lifetime of loyalty.
