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By Alyce Collins
Senior Reporter
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A rescue dog’s reaction to seeing a Christmas tree lit up for the first time has melted hearts across the internet.
There are many firsts for shelter dogs after finding their forever home—from their first time on the couch to their first-ever pup cup. Life has been pretty luxurious for a rescue pit bull named Olive Jean who was adopted in August 2024, but this time of year has brought a whole new range of firsts.
Olive’s owner Jennifer Contraveos, 41, captured the precious moment her rescue dog caught sight of the Christmas tree when it was lit up for the first time. After seeing the sparkling lights and stars glistening on the ceiling, Olive looked mesmerized and she could hardly take her eyes off it.
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Contraveos, of Chicago, Illinois, told Newsweek that Olive was really fascinated by their holiday decor and was "sniffing everything very diligently." But when the tree was finished and the lights went on, all she could do was stop and marvel at it.
"When I started decorating it, she was so curious was smelling all the ornaments as I was putting them up," Contraveos said. "When I laid out the tree skirt, she thought it was a bed or another place for her to lay so she immediately went and got comfortable.
"As I finished decorating and went to put the tree topper on and everything lit up, she was playing with her toys and looked up. It was sweet and funny because just before that, she was so focused on chewing her toys and the lights managed to stop her dead in her tracks."
The adorable video of her reaction was shared on the dog’s dedicated TikTok account (@olive.jean.marie) and it delighted the internet. In just a matter of days, the clip has gone viral with over 485,000 views and more than 106,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
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The caption alongside the TikTok post reads: "I can’t with how sweet she is. We don’t deserve dogs."
Before finding her forever family, Olive was in a kill shelter. On the day she was due to be euthanized, she was rescued by Strong Paws in Houston, Texas. She needed to be spayed and have surgery on her eye, but most importantly, she needed a home.
Contraveos saw some tragic photos of Olive in the shelter on social media, and knew she wanted to save her.
Olive was fortunate enough to have a happy and loving home last Christmas, but they didn't have space for a tree. As a result, Olive didn't get to see a Christmas tree up close until this year. It was certainly a special moment when the lights came on and Olive took it all in.
"I immediately pulled out my phone when I saw it because I thought it was so special. I sat there wondering what she must be thinking while looking at the lights, and hoping she was having a moment of happiness, and that she was feeling love and comfort," Contraveos continued.
After being adopted last year, Olive is certainly making the most out of this second chance she has been given. Contraveos regularly shares videos of Olive relishing her new life, from lounging on the bed all day, finding sticks on her walks, to sunbathing in the yard.
While Olive seems to be getting into the festive spirit, it is also important for owners to be vigilant this time of year. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends puppy-proofing your home, regardless of how old the canine might be. Ensuring that holiday plants, foods, and decorations are out of reach is vital.
Dogs can get curious about the new festive additions to their home, so it is important to make sure they can’t try to chew or swallow anything potentially dangerous or toxic.
The holidays can also be incredibly hectic, so the AKC highlights the importance of maintaining the dog’s routine as much as possible and giving them breaks whenever they need one.
How a canine copes with the holidays will depend on their personality, but owners should consider using a crate, blocking access to certain rooms, or keeping them on a leash. This shouldn’t be done in a punitive way, however, and the dog should be rewarded for positive behavior throughout.
Social-media users can’t get enough of Olive Jean’s reaction to the Christmas tree glistening in her forever home. This has led to more than 1,150 comments on the viral TikTok video already, as people hailed her undeniable joy and gratitude.
Many of the comments left Contraveos in tears, as she told Newsweek that the responses have been "so sweet and thoughtful." People have pointed out what a dream come true this must have been for Olive, and highlighting how much joy it brought them to see.
Contraveos said: "This dog is just pure joy and happiness. She’s truly happy to be alive and thankful to have a family that loves her so much."
One comment reads: "She straight up stopped to truly enjoy life for a moment. Lucky doggie."
Another TikTok user wrote: "My goodness, that’s precious!"
A third person replied: "They’re so appreciative of everything."
One commenter posted: "She like, wow I can see Christmas from my new home."
Update 12/04/25, 10:29 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comments from Jennifer Contraveos.
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