Meet Smokey, a rescue dog that won’t leave the house without his elephant toy. His former owners lost their house and were unable to care for the dog.

On Valentine’s Day, the 5-year-old pooch was surrendered to a Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center, along with his favorite toy “so that he can find comfort” in it. Smokey is so in love with his plush gray elephant with pink ears that there was a notice on his kennel stating that he and the elephant had to be adopted together.

The elephant was the one thing that brightened Smokey’s days at the shelter. Smokey, who appeared to be exceedingly bashful and worried, had a few melancholy weeks aside from playing with the toy. Smokey was supposed to be put down in March…

Then, one day, two volunteers from the charity I Have A Dream Rescue Organization showed up. They quickly fell in love with Smokey and vowed to finding him a foster home.

The dog can’t stop smiling now that he knows he’ll have a new home. “He was depressed and sleeping with his elephant until [volunteer] started talking with him,” recalls Melissa Sutherland, treasurer of I Have A Dream. “It’s incredible what rescue does for pets.”