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By Lydia Patrick
Life & Trends Reporter
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A Reddit user has moved thousands after they shared the story of adopting a nervous, overlooked shelter dog shortly after immigrating to the United States.
The poster, u/Neither_Simple7643, said they met the dog—an almost 5‑year‑old mixed breed with both ears cut by a previous owner—on October 5, 2025, at a local shelter. Newly arrived in the U.S., they were still juggling immigration paperwork, building credit “from zero,” and trying to feel at home in a new country. The post garnered 5,100 upvotes in the subreddit "velvet hippos".
"I wasn’t planning on adopting that day. Most people were heading straight for the puppies. I get it they’re easier, a fresh start. Adopting a dog wasn’t part of the plan that day," they wrote.
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When the poster knelt down, the dog cautiously tilted his head but stayed in place—“Something about that felt familiar,” they wrote.
he was overlooked i was starting from scratch we
r/velvethippos
They decided to take him home.
A Slow Start
The adjustment period wasn’t easy. In the first few weeks, the dog flinched at sudden noises, slept in corners instead of the new bed, and hid whenever guests arrived. “Trust wasn’t automatic for him,” the Redditor wrote. “Honestly, it wasn’t for me either.”
But nearly five months later, everything had changed.
The dog now sleeps sprawled out in the middle of the living room, runs to the door when he hears keys, and leans into belly rubs instead of pulling away. When friends visit, he stays in the room, no longer afraid. “He’s learning he doesn’t have to be afraid,” the post said.
Despite his cropped ears, the user said he’s still “the most handsome velvet hippo,” adding that they’re grateful his previous owner didn’t take his tail too—“because that thing hasn’t stopped wagging since.”
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What they thought would be giving an older dog a second chance turned into something much bigger. “Truth is, he helped me more than I helped him,” they wrote. In a year when everything felt temporary, the dog became “something solid. Routine. Responsibility. Home.”
For those looking for the transformation photos, the user noted that the “before and after” begins at picture eight.
OP’s Update in the Comments
In a follow‑up comment, u/velvethippos addressed the response to the post.
“You are absolutely right—I shared him in an adoption subreddit and received so much love,” they wrote. “But I also faced a lot of criticism from some anti‑pitbull commenters. It was overwhelming at first, especially since I was just celebrating giving a shelter dog a home.”
They added that their dog was a “total handful at first,” but said rescue pets often end up healing their owners just as much. “Somehow they end up saving us more than we save them.”
Social Media Reactions
The story has prompted an outpouring of warmth across social platforms, with users praising both the dog’s progress and the poster’s commitment.
“Beast? No, he’s a beauty!!” one commenter wrote.
Others added:
“He is ridiculously handsome! Please give him an ear rub for me," said one user.
“Big ol’ head,” joked one user.
“I was not planning on crying before bed but here I am, this is beautiful. So happy the universe made yall happen," added another user.
“Sweet baby boy! So happy you found each other," shared another.
Newsweek reached out to u/Neither_Simple7643 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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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