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An adorable golden retriever who has been fitted with braces has taken the internet by storm.

Wesley, a six-month-old puppy from Spring Lake, Michigan, has become an internet celebrity after images of his goofy brace-covered grin went viral.

Daily Mail reports, The Harborfront Hospital for Animals in Spring Lake shared the images on their Facebook page, featuring the pup from when he was just a tiny newborn up to when a dental problem caused him to be fitted with a mouthful of metal courtesy of his owner Molly Moore’s father Jim, a veterinarian.

Poor Wesley was not able to close his mouth properly because of the position of his teeth.

‘When people hear that Dr. Moore is a “doggie dentist”, they immediately say things like: “What? Does he put braces on dogs, too?” The answer is . . . yes. Yes, he does,’ read the hospital’s Facebook post.

The poor pup was having trouble eating because his teeth alignment – a condition called malocclusion – but luckily he was in the perfect family to do something about it.

‘He wasn’t playing with his toys and he was losing weight,’ Molly explained to Buzzfeed. ‘It was very worrying for me, and we needed to do something for him to be pain free and live a happy puppy life.’

And lucky for Wesley, he only needs to wear the braces for a matter of weeks to correct the issue as Molly’s father Jim Moore happened to specialise in dog dentistry.

The photos posted to the hospital’s Facebook page show the before and after images of the young retriever, including a photo of Wesley laying on his back looking up at the camera with his braces poking out of his mouth.

braces on dog

‘It obviously doesn’t bother him one little bit (if you look at the “after” photo),’ added the hospital. ‘He’s a happy little guy.’

Dr. Moore, who also does other oral surgeries and Endodontics, added: ‘We don’t place braces or any oral appliances in the mouth for aesthetics. We do this for pain or function.’

The images of Wesley, shared in honour of National Pet Dental Health month, quickly took off online.

dog braces

Since being posted on Friday, Wesley’s story has been shared over 290,000 times.

A recent update from the hospital reads:
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of care and interest from around the nation in our buddy “Wesley.”

Dental care is just as important for the pets we love as it is for us and we are glad that his cute “brace face” brought such interest.

He is happily enjoying some of the benefits of his celebrity (although he already had ample hugs, kisses and belly rubs).

Most importantly, he is eating well, playing, and feeling wonderful.

We have been inundated with questions and are trying diligently to return responses.

Please understand your local veterinarian will also able to answer many of your questions or will be able to direct you to veterinary dental experts in your area.

Once again, SO much appreciation being sent your way.

We are grateful.”

Have you ever?  Sooooo cute!

Share your comments below.

  • Beautiful that this dog lives by loving and caring owners.

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  • GOSH I know what my son had to go through with braces so do hope this little fellow comes through well. :-)

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  • One has to feel for this poor dog – but he will be so much better off once his teeth have fully adjusted and he gets the braces off.

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  • Peoples’ braces can be painful when adjustments are being made.
    Maybe they aren’t as painful for this pup or I don’t think it would be eating as well as it seems to be.

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  • That is beautiful. A very lucky pup to have a loving family to fix his medical problem.

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  • Beautiful. Lucky Wesley being given a chance by this family (who better to own him than a doggy dentist). His fate could have been different without this help

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  • Wow, never saw or heard that one before ! But glad also dogs can be helped with this type of dental problems.

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  • I am not sure really how doggies really need this but he does kinda look cute with his braces.

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  • I saw this on the internet. I’m not so sure there would be a large need for it

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  • Good luck to Wesley,he has loving owner’s who want the best for him!

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  • Oh my! I would have never thought it was possible. The puppy is so cute!!

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  • Poor puppy – braces can be painful at first.

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  • Who would have thought this possible? Thats one lucky dog!

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  • oh little darling. Dogs are such great friends!

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  • His sooo cute!! I want a dog now

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  • Awww what a cute little puppy! I had no idea they had doggie dentists haha glad little Wesley has been fixed and will lead a normal life x

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