...
By Rachael O'Connor
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Social media viewers have been left in tears after a dog that was "terrified of people" finally opened up to his rescuer.
On May 12, TikTok user Cinthanie took to her account, @cinthanie, where she said she had experienced a "dog mother's day gift."
The clip shows a basset hound lying on a rug at the far side of the room, under the words: "You rescued a dog 3 months ago and have been slowly earning his trust (he's terrified of people) and today this happens..."
Read More on Pets
The video then shows Cinthanie in bed, before she smiles and shows who had joined her to snuggle up: the dog. He first allowed Cinthanie to pat him and then pushed his head into her hand and gazed up at her with loving eyes.
She wrote: "The way he looked at me."
Cinthanie's video, which has received over 131,000 likes and 685,000 views in just a few weeks, left commenters in tears, with one saying it "made me tear up" and another admitting she was "bawling."
"The way he looked at you is worth all of it," one person wrote. Another added: "You mean the world to him, please know this."
And one user wrote: "Definition of an amazing mommy. Patience & unconditional love. You are amazing."
Dogs Trust, a British humane society, acknowledges the difficulties that can come with bringing an adult rescue dog into your family and urges calm and patience to allow the dog to settle in.
It says online: "You may find they hide at first and don't seem to want to interact with you. Don't worry – this is perfectly normal. To help them relax you should let them go at their own pace."
Dogs Trust continues: "If they don't seem interested and haven't approached you for fuss, then don't force it. Give them some space and allow them time to relax and feel more confident around you."
One of the most important things an owner can do after adopting a rescue dog is to be "patient and understanding." In particular, look out for "signs that they are feeling anxious or frightened."
...
Newsweek recently spoke to a shelter worker who went viral for helping a newly surrendered dog come out of his shell and learn to trust her. He was first seen cowering in the corner, fearful of her and his new surroundings.
By the end of the video, the dog, Tomato, was comfortable enough with shelter worker Katie Grissum that he first allowed her to pat him and then nuzzled his head into her hand.
Another heartwarming clip shows a rescue dog approaching her foster caregiver after voluntarily leaving her room "for the first time." The reason? To beg for a slice of pizza.
The TikTok user, @thefutureisforcefree, wrote in the video: "She of course gets to have some. You're safe here, Emily."
Newsweek has reached out to @cinthanie via TikTok and email. The details of the video could not be independently verified.
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.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines