Smile Dog: Difference between revisions

{{ContentWarning}}{{Spoilers}}{{Infobox character

The tale reveals that <code>smile.jpg</code> began its circulation on [[4chan]]'s ''[[wikipedia:/x/|/x/]]'' board in 2008.<ref name="Bustle" /><ref name="petslady" /> Entries about Smile Dog in the [[wikipedia:Urban Dictionary|''Urban Dictionary'']] describe it as "one of the earliest instances of [[creepypasta]] chain letters" and note its notoriety for driving those who view it to madness. The earliest known entry on the site dates back to January 15th, 2009. A prominent ''Smile Dog'' story emerged on April 27, 2010, eventually finding its way onto the [https://creepypasta.fandom.com/wiki/Creepypasta_Wiki Creepypasta Wiki] on August 27, 2009. Additionally, the image made an appearance in SCP-450, a well-known YouTube screamer, where it was featured among a collection of frightening images in a slideshow.

{{Quote|You try to tell yourself over and over, it’s just an image.Just a stupid picture of a stupid dog that somone has photoshopped teeth onto. It isn’t even scary, or at least it doesn’t scare you. Not one bit. How could it scare you? It’s just a picture. You tell …|The titular story.}}

Numerous stories attempt to shed light on the origin of the character. One prominent tale revolves around an amateur writer who crossed paths with an elderly woman named Mary E. back in 2007.<ref name="Bustle">Peters, L. (2016, January 16). <nowiki>[https://www.bustle.com/articles/135749-is-smile-dog-real-heres-the-truth-about-the-classic-creepypasta-its-terrifying-image-file "Is "Smile Dog" Real? Here's The Truth About The Classic Creepypasta & Its Terrifying Image File"]</nowiki>. Bustle.</ref> Mary claimed to have encountered the original image on a Chicago-based [[wikipedia:Bulletin Board System|''Bulletin Board System'']] in 1992, an encounter that inflicted 15 years of sleepless nights upon her. In her chilling account, she revealed that the dog-like entity demanded her to "spread the word." Mary received a mysterious floppy disk containing the image, believing it was meant for her to share with someone else.

The writer, interested by Mary's account, decided to reach out to her to delve deeper into her story. Mary responded with a lengthy email, recounting her journey since encountering the original ''Smile Dog'' image.<ref name="Bustle" /> Her narrative painted a picture of relentless torment, with the sinister creature repeatedly compelling her to "spread the word." The writer could sense Mary's fear and desperation through her words. She revealed that the entity had coerced her into showing the image to others, intensifying her suffering. In a desperate bid to escape the unending nightmare, Mary complied with ''Smile Dog''<nowiki>'s</nowiki> demands, propagating the image as instructed.

A week after adhering to these demands, Mary received a cryptic package in the mail—a single [[wikipedia:floppy disk|''floppy disk'']] containing the Smile Dog image. It seemed like a sinister reminder of her commitment to the malevolent entity's agenda. Presumably, the disk was intended for her to further the dissemination of ''Smile Dog''. The writer continued his correspondence with Mary, uncovering the devastating toll the legend had exacted on its victims. Many users of the BBS community who had encountered the image had mysteriously ceased posting, and tragically, some had taken their own lives. Mary's husband, Terence, confirmed her story, providing further evidence of the tragedy that had befallen their online community.  

In one notable incident, an anonymous hacker unleashed what was claimed to be the original <code>smile.jpg</code> on the discussion forum of the [[website]] ''[[wikipedia:Something Awful|Something Awful]]''. The consequences were dire, with forum users of the post purportedly experiencing madness and epileptic seizures. According to the legend, this image had its roots in the "mid-to-late 90s" when it was initially disseminated as a chain email, often accompanied by a hyperlink to the image.{{cite}}

Despite Mary's reluctance to share a copy of the floppy disk with the writer, he had never stopped questioning the truth behind Smile Dog. He believed that exposing the legend's origins might offer closure to its tormented victims. However, a month later, Terence informed that Mary had taken her own life. In a desperate attempt to sever any connection to the malevolent entity, Terence confessed to burning the floppy disk until it was a "stinking pile of blackened plastic". The writer's pursuit of answers had left him haunted by the legend. He asked the same choice that Mary had faced—whether to "spread the word" or to resist. As he stared at the photograph, an unsettling unease washed over him, as if the image had already begun to exert its "dark magic." The writer ultimately concluded, "''Could I spread the word? Yes. Yes, I could''" as the photograph itself displayed underneath.

<u>NOTE</u>: The following image is used as a [[screamer]] and should not be viewed if desired!