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By Rachael O'Connor
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A couple were on a walk with their dogs when they spotted what they believed was a coyote stalking them—only to make a heartbreaking realization.
Tiffany Seeger, 33, and her boyfriend David Gray, 37, live in Greenville, South Carolina, with their two corgi dogs, Totoro and Mei, and were recently taking the pups for a stroll when the "coyote" followed them all the way to their front door.
Seeger told Newsweek: "As we approached our house, we noticed what I first assumed—and feared—was a coyote trotting toward us. I told my boyfriend to hurry and get the dogs into the house, because even if it was a stray dog, I didn't know how it would behave toward my dogs.
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"As we picked up the pace approaching our door, the 'coyote' followed us a few steps behind into our driveway and onto our front porch, which is what you see in the video."
In a video posted to her TikTok account @muffinyps on October 15, Seeger shared footage from her door camera, showing her and her boyfriend rushing home and getting indoors with their dogs.
Behind them, an animal they had believed was a coyote was following along—but Gray put out a foot to stop the creature from getting any closer.
It didn't take long, however, for Gray and Seeger to realize the "coyote" was extremely friendly—and was in fact a lost young dog.
As Seeger told Newsweek: "I quickly noticed her submissive demeanor and friendly posture. She was doing all she could to let us know she meant no harm.
"I could tell immediately she was a dog and not a coyote now that she was up close, and immediately crouched down to greet her."
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The video went on to show the couple welcoming the dog into their home, giving her a bath and plenty of cuddles, and before long, she was hanging out with their other two dogs as though she had been part of the family all along.
"This dog followed us home this morning and we thought she was a coyote," Seeger explained over the video. She added in a caption that she had posted the dog's photo to multiple lost dog groups, but so far have had no luck finding her owners.
She added: "We hope and pray she has people looking for her because I REALLY can't afford a third dog right now but ugh my gut is telling me this is meant to be. And she's stolen our hearts completely."
Seeger told Newsweek that they took the pup, who they have named Sprite, to the vet, but she didn't have a microchip, and they've had no luck in finding her previous owners.
And while they "really love her," they were unable to keep her permanently. One of their two dogs has only recently been rescued herself, and is still acclimatizing to their home, Seeger explained, and taking on a third dog also comes with its own financial and emotional cost.
For now, Seeger is fostering Sprite with the help of local rescue DogSquad, while they search for a perfect home for the lost pup—and they think they may have found a "wonderful" fit with a family currently going through the adoption process.
She said: "Sprite is a huge part of my heart, and when she goes, she will take that part with her. But I know that is the cost of fostering and she will flourish in a home that can care for her better than I can."
Seeger is also planning to step in as an official foster for the rescue, to help other dogs in need in the future, and said "I have Sprite to thank for showing me I’m capable of doing that.
"I will forever be grateful she wandered onto our doorstep, and for all of the things she has taught me and shown me."
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Seeger's video captured the hearts of animal lovers, who watched the clip more than 3.5 million times, as one commenter wrote: "I’m actually crying real tears because she genuinely looks like she fits right in with you guys and she looks like her siblings."
Another admitted they "cracked up when I saw that dog that you mistook for a coyote," with Seeger—who saw the dog from a distance and without her contacts in—admitting she had to laugh at herself too.
But another reassured her: "Stray dogs are just as scary as coyotes, you never know how they will react. Your reaction was valid, better safe than sorry."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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