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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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An unlikely friendship between a senior dog and a bunny has melted hearts on social media, after going viral on TikTok.
In a post shared in January under the username @papichulokelly, the rescue chihuahua, whose named is Papi Chulo, can be seen running around chasing a fluffy white bunny while out for a walk in Orange Country with his owner.
"Our senior rescue dog met our neighbor's bunny and they became friends," the poster writes in the clip.
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A caption says: "We barely got it on camera but they were running around in circles and Papi herded the bunny!"
The poster, Josephine Jarecki Kelly, told Newsweek that she rescued the pup from the euthanasia list at SEAACA Shelter in Downey last May, saving him 25 minutes before his deadline with the help of itsyogishouse and Lendabone, who were the rescue sponsors.
She also offers free help finding the right animals to anyone who wishes to rescue a pet but doesn't know where to start.
Papi Chulo is the fourth rescue chihuahua she has adopted, and she says he's an angel who loves to cuddle and sleeps anywhere there is a comfy blanket.
"He also has a playful side as seen in the TikTok with the bunny. He is friendly with all animals (though he gets a little shy around big dogs until an introduction is made). He loves to play with toys and will self-entertain if my husband and I aren't able to play with him," she said.
The bunny that Papi befriended in the clip belongs to her mom's neighbor's daughter, and they play every time they visit, although she believes they might have moved home recently.
"I started Papi's TikTok to spread awareness about rescue dogs. My calling in life is to save the pets in the shelters. I am convinced that more people just need to know how loving and seamless it can be to integrate a rescue dog into the home," Kelly said.
"Fostering is also not talked about enough. To foster a pet means you open your home to them and promise to take care of them. I've fostered dogs for less than 12 days before because they get adopted! [It also] requires no financial burden."
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Dr. Amanda Chambers, veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance, previously told Newsweek that because they are very friendly and social animals, dogs can make playmates out of most animals, including bunnies.
However, she explains that it's very important to practice good hygiene and keep both animals and their environment clean at all times, to reduce potential disease transmission of pathogens that can be passed via feces.
Rabbit.org Foundation says that you should only get a rabbit if your dog has a low prey drive, follows basic commands such as "sit," "down," "stay," and "leave it," and is calm and submissive. It should also be an adult dog who is able to control their behavior, and a herding, non-sporting breed. It's even better if your dog is a trained service or therapy dog.
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 116,100 views and 8,458 likes on the platform.
One user, Jeremy Wells, commented: "That is 2 bunnies now."
Bessfurryface wrote: "My senior rescue chi hangs out with the neighbors chickens. They are such loving boys."
TKD said: "Isn't it amazing how animals know it will be ok."
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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