Could you love him tender? Meet Elvis

That floppy ear. The adoring eyes. And oh, those teeth. Could you love a boy like Elvis?

It is impossible to look at him without smiling. If you’d known Elvis back when he was a sick stray on the streets of Thailand, though, your heart would have broken in two.

All we know is that somehow Elvis survived distemper. It’s one of the most deadly canine diseases. Vomiting, coughing, diarrhea, wracked with fever, alone on the streets Elvis endured it all. He grew thin. Weak.

The owner of the market didn’t want Elvis around anymore. It’s often been the case in this profoundly poor and remote region of Thailand that people simply abandon animals to the streets. They can’t afford vaccinations, or spay/neuter, to say nothing of long-term care.

Network for Animals’ new partner, Thai Animal Sanctuary, is working to change that equation. Because of their patience and persistence, the marketplace owner knew he had somewhere to turn. We need your help so the work can continue.

The numbers are huge. One million dogs are estimated homeless in Thailand. Still … there is no way to put a price tag on the love of an animal. The comfort when you’re down. The tail wags at the end of the day. The faithful friendship.

As a result of the distemper, Elvis has spasms in his entire body that will be with him his whole life. His teeth – his beautiful teeth – also need special attention because the after-effects of the disease make them grow too long. On top of all that, a deformity has left a hole in the roof of his mouth that can get infected.

But without Thai Animal Sanctuary, no one would have known the love that is Elvis. He’d likely have been snatched off the streets by dog-meat traders, sick as he was, then gagged and packed like garbage into a cage to be illegally smuggled into neighboring dog-eating countries.

We don’t know how long Elvis will live. He’s been through so much. We do know, though, that whatever you give will make his life better and brighter – and will help more strays like him, when he’s gone. Could you love a boy like Elvis? Please say yes, with all the generosity in your heart, now.