I am Olena, Isaac is my husband, and Smiley is the OG of our furry family that I have dubbed, “the Roozoodence” due to Isaac’s surname being Roosa, and our home being a zoo!
About all of us:
Olena
I was born in Ukraine, raised in the Czech Republic, and lived in China before moving to the USA in 2018. In 2021 we moved to Maui with Smiley and adopted all the other cats and dogs you see below! When Smiley passed from lung cancer on December 22nd, 2025, I started drawing him as part of my grieving process. 100 hours later I had Smiley's first book written, illustrated, and published. I am a writer by trade, writing how-to tech articles for iPhone Life and thanks to Smiley, I am now a children's book writer too!
Isaac
Isaac was born in Rhode Island and when he first met Olena, he told her he, "wasn't really a dog person." Fast forward to today, he is a crazy dog and cat dad. Smiley was Isaac's soul dog.
Smiley
Smiley was 6 years old when he ended up at a high kill shelter in NYC because his original oweners were having a human baby. He got scooped up by Olena and Isaac with the help of Donna from Pound Hounds ResQ and began living his best life with them. First, they moved him to Rhode Island and gave him a huge yard! Two years later they relocated him to Maui, Hawaii. His new yard was smaller but the beach and climate was worth it! On the way to Maui, he joined his humans on a road trip of a lifetime from New Jersey to Seattle. Smiley was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2025 after losing 25lbs in just a few months. After his diagnosis he was even more spoiled and had the best last few weeks before he passed peacefully at his home on December 22nd 2025 surrounded by his loved ones.
Keʻokeʻo
Formerly named Arnie,
Millie
Orange
Horus
Diablo
Toothless
Learn more about Smiley and his family: https://linktr.ee/smileytherescuedog
Learn more about Smiley and his family: https://linktr.ee/smileytherescuedog