Most people do a double take the first time they see Bethany. Her snout twists and sags to one side, leaving her teeth on view in a permanent, lopsided grin.

Bethany is an eight-month-old Labrador cross, and that striking face is the one thing about her that is out of the ordinary. Everything else is classic puppy: the bounce, the curiosity, the tail that rarely stops moving.

Today she is living in a foster home in Norwich, waiting for a family who can look past that first impression.

Born in Romania With a Face Unlike Her Littermates

Bethany’s story begins in Romania. Her mother was a stray, and she was rescued just in time, before her puppies were born.

The rest of the litter arrived looking the way most people expect puppies to look: soft, even-featured and symmetrical. Bethany was born with a face that did not match theirs. Her whole snout bends and droops toward one side.

Vets believe the cause is most likely a rare genetic fluke. Some suspect her mixed ancestry may include a touch of Pekingese, though that is a theory rather than a confirmed fact.

Video: Meet Bethany, the Labrador Cross With the Crooked Grin

A Healthy, Happy Puppy Behind the Unusual Face

It would be easy to assume that a face like hers must come with health problems. According to the account of her care, it does not.

Bethany has been examined by vets several times and is described as completely healthy. She eats and drinks normally. She runs and plays without any limitation.

Her days look much like any young dog’s. She plays hard, eats with enthusiasm and chases tennis balls with that chaotic puppy joy. She loves belly rubs, cuddles and anyone willing to throw a toy. Her foster family even adds one small detail with a smile: she does not snore.

There is nothing in her behavior to suggest she notices how strangers react to her appearance. She simply carries on being a puppy.

Zoe Casey on the Scars You Cannot See

Zoe Casey, 46, is a volunteer foster carer with the charity Safe Rescue for Dogs in Norwich, Norfolk. She has spent years helping dogs recover from difficult pasts, and her view of Bethany comes from that experience.

“Sometimes a facial disfigurement is not as bad as a mental disfigurement,” Zoe says.

Many rescue dogs arrive carrying the effects of mistreatment, such as fear, anxiety, aggression or deep distrust of people. Recovery can take patience and time.

Bethany’s circumstances are different. Her mother was rescued before she was born, so Bethany has not experienced the kind of hardship that leaves emotional marks. Her twisted snout is her only difference, and by every account it does not trouble her. The discomfort belongs mostly to the people who see her for the first time.

The Temperament Many Families Hope For

Those who know Bethany describe a dog with a very easy nature. She is gentle with children and friendly with other dogs. She is calm, affectionate and well-mannered, especially for a puppy of eight months.

That is why her foster carers are not looking for a special arrangement. Bethany does not need a home built around her face, and she does not need sympathy. What she needs is a family who will treat her like any other dog, because in every way that matters day to day, that is exactly what she is.

Why Her Story Is Reaching So Many People

Part of the reason Bethany’s story is spreading is the contrast between first impressions and daily reality. A glance at her photo might provoke shock. A few minutes with her, her supporters say, changes the picture.

When she looks up with that crooked grin and her tail wagging so hard it blurs, the focus shifts. What people notice is a friendly, playful dog with a great deal of love to give.

It is a simple reminder that appearances are a poor measure of character. Bethany’s face is how she was born. Her personality is what people remember.

Still Waiting for Her Forever Home

As of this account, Bethany remains in her foster home in Norwich. No adoption has been announced, and her future family has yet to be found.

Her carers are hoping for someone who will look deeper than a twisted snout and see the healthy, loving young dog underneath. Bethany is not asking to be rescued from anything. She is simply ready for a family of her own, and for the person who will meet that lopsided smile and smile right back.