Bethany, an eight-month-old Labrador cross, was born with a wonky face but it doesn't impact the 'happy-go-lucky' pooch's health in any way
A puppy with a wonky face looking for a family who will "look deeper than her facial disfigurement for her heart of gold.
Bethany, an eight-month-old Labrador cross, was born with a severe facial deformity that causes her entire snout to twist and droop to one side, revealing her teeth.
While her lop-sided face is unusual to look at, it has no bearing on the 'happy-go-lucky' pooch's health.
Bethany, who was vet-checked and given permission to travel from Romania to the United Kingdom following her rescue, can eat, drink, run, and play like any other puppy.
Bethany's rescuers at the Norwich-based charity Safe Rescue For Dogs, where she is being fostered, are now desperate to find her a forever home.
Volunteer fosterer Zoe Casey, 46, hopes that whoever adopts Bethany will be able to see past her deformity and focus on her 'amazing' personality instead.
"There's nothing wrong with Bethany - she doesn't even snore when she's sleeping," Zoe said.
"People have asked 'are we sure we're doing the right thing?' and 'how do we know?'. We know because she's been vet checked and checked again at Calais and Dover at DEFRA.
"If she had been sick, she would have been apprehended because that's what they do." She is in perfect health. She is the most incredible canine. She is sweet and cheerful.
"We've been walking her and she's doing great off the leash." She dashes around and returns when summoned.
"She adores children, gets along well with other dogs, and has one of the most tempermental personalities you'll ever meet."
Her temperament is very similar to that of a Labrador Retriever. She's a happy-go-lucky girl who is absolutely stunning.
There is a mindset that people are looking for the picture-perfect dog, but I believe people should dig a little deeper.
"We hope Bethany finds a normal family who will treat her like a normal dog because she is normal, even if she doesn't appear to be."
"All we want is a nice, regular family who will look after her and see her for what she is, an amazing dog, rather than what she looks like."
"It doesn't matter what she looks like because her heart is pure gold."
When Bethany's mother became pregnant, she was a street dog in Romania, but a family took her in and helped care for her litter of five pups until they could be rescued.
The vet in Romania believes the puppies are part Pekingese, and that the mix of genes contributed to Bethany's wonky face.
Safe Rescue For Dogs, founded by Zoe's sister Kelly Hare, 43, travels to Romania at least once a year to aid in the fight against the country's stray dog problem and to take in pooches.
One of Bethany's siblings has already been adopted, and the charity is still awaiting the arrival of the remaining two puppies.
While this is the first time anyone at the charity has seen a dog with a wonky face, Zoe believes that a facial disfigurement is far easier to accept than the emotional trauma that some rescue dogs have experienced.
"People are surprised by Bethany's face," Zoe said, "but when you've worked in the industry, you're not surprised; you just accept it."
When does have been mistreated, a facial disfigurement isn't always as bad as a mental disfigurement.
Bethany hasn't been mistreated. Her mother was rescued before she was born, so she hasn't had a difficult childhood. She isn't concerned or afraid.
"With so many dogs, we have to deal with how they've been treated, which is even worse.
"The moment Bethany looks up at you with her tail wagging, you'll forget about her facial disfigurement."