Foster Pup Gets Couch Snuggles for First Time in her Life—And It’s Adorable
As shelters across the U.S. struggle with overcrowding, fostering plays an important role in saving lives—giving shelter dogs a chance to decompress and heal. A heartwarming TikTok video beautifully captures this impact, showing the touching reaction of a foster pup experiencing a couch for the first time.
@wally_the_pit Welp, if you couldnt guess weve got a cuddler! Why is she perfect??? 📍@Hope Animal Rescue Raleigh, NC #fosterpuppy #adoptorshopresponsibly #rescuedog #fosteringsaveslives #fosterdogs #fosterdogmom #adopt ♬ original sound – Noah Kahan
Lilo, a rescue puppy living with his foster mom, Emily, in Raleigh, North Carolina, finally gets to snuggle up on the couch—a simple moment that speaks volumes about the power of fostering.
Lilo’s Journey to Comfort
When Lilo first arrived at her foster home, she couldn’t fully experience its warmth due to illness. Confined to the kitchen for 10 days after coming from Hope Animal Rescue, she had to recover before she could truly enjoy the comforts of home. But once she was healthy, she was finally ready for love, affection, and—most importantly—her first time on the couch.
At first, Lilo was hesitant. As she cautiously climbed onto the couch where her foster mom, Emily, was lounging, she kept glancing at the floor, unsure of this new experience. But with gentle encouragement and plenty of scratchies, her hesitation melted away.
Soon, Lilo’s tail wagged with joy, and she began showering Emily with sweet kisses. Before long, she was snuggled up, fully embracing her first-ever couch cuddles—a simple yet powerful moment of trust and love.
By the end of the video, Lilo is nestled between Emily’s legs on the couch, completely at ease. Relaxed and content, she looks ready to drift off to sleep—a beautiful sign of trust and comfort.
The Beginning of Many Joyful Days
For Lilo, this moment is more than just a cozy cuddle; it’s a milestone. Snuggling up with her foster mom shows that she’s beginning to feel safe and loved. As a puppy, she deserves all the warmth and care in the world, and it’s heartwarming to see her finally experiencing the joys of foster life. Her story is a touching reminder of how fostering can change a dog’s life.
Rocky Kanaka, a pet rescue advocate and YouTuber, notes, “Seeing a once-sick puppy like Lilo finally relax and trust her foster mom is what fostering is all about. It’s not just about giving a dog a place to stay—it’s about giving them a chance to feel safe, loved, and ready for their forever home.”
Lilo’s story has become a viral sensation on TikTok, with more than 80,000 views and over 17K likes. A TikTok user, Kimberly Nance, comments, “Awe, look at how much love and appreciation she is. Love her!”
If Lilo has stolen your heart and you’d love to give her a forever home, you can apply for her adoption through the rescue’s website. According to her foster mom, Emily, she isn’t listed due to the high number of applications, but you can still apply by selecting the “Others/Not Listed” option.
