See Difference in Shelter Dog's Face Before-and-After Being Told Good News

A before-and-after picture has shown just how the idea of finding a forever home can make a shelter dog's day.

In a Facebook post that was published earlier this month, 9-year-old Gracie appears to be down in the dumps until she is told there's a chance she may be adopted. After hearing the news, she can be seen smiling from ear-to-ear.

However, the Pitbull mix wasn't adopted and is still waiting for someone to take her home from the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown, New Jersey.

Lindsay Sanator, the shelter's media and marketing manager, spoke to Newsweek about the senior dog who would make a great family pet.

"She's got a wonderfully sweet disposition and just wants companionship and comfort," she said. "She would thrive in a relaxed home environment, probably as a single pet. She has lived with children ever since she was a puppy."

The photos of Gracie surfaced during a "Home for the Holidays" event held by the shelter on December 10.

"We told Gracie she might find a forever home today and it turned her frown upside down," the shelter's Facebook post read.

Sanator told Newsweek that Gracie's owner's job changed and they were no longer able to devote the time to her anymore.

"It's always a shock to senior dogs when they end up in an unfamiliar place, but Gracie is adjusting well. Gracie is a sweet and loving girl who loves treats and going for walks - she already knows sit and paw so we know she's a smart cookie," the shelter's Facebook post continued.

Gracie hasn't found her happy ending yet, but she will in the future. Newsweek has published numerous stories about shelter dogs finding their forever homes; in fact, one of our articles inspired a couple to adopt one dog named Buddy.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 6.3 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Fortunately, around 2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats are adopted each year.

So far, Monmouth County SPCA's post has received 285 likes, over 145 shares, and almost 20 comments.

One user commented: "this breaks my heart...she's adorable!"

Another wrote: "She is beautiful! If I didn't have a full house (2 cats, 3
Adult dogs and 6 three week old puppies), she would already be adopted! Good luck to this little lady."

Sadly, Gracie's story isn't a one-off as there are many dogs desperately waiting to be adopted. Some have been in the shelter for months and even years, like Nitro, a 5-year-old mixed breed who has been in a shelter for almost five years.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.