Owner Captures Exact Moment Her Rescue Dog Finally Feels at Home

A social-media video that captures a rescue dog's joy after settling into her forever home has melted hearts across the internet.

The viral clip, which has been viewed more than 6.2 million times since it was shared to TikTok on March 7, filmed Margot the rescue dog's lightning-speed zoomies on top of her new owner's bed.

The female dog had been adopted from Cincinnati Animal Care over a year ago. However, her adopter had decided to share the video from 2023 onto her TikTok account on March 7 to honor the special moment when rescue dogs start to feel at home. "It takes three months on average for an adopted dog to start to feel at home," the dog's owner said.

Viewers watched as the dog leaped around on her owner's bed excitedly, finally at ease in the new environment as her owner laughed along. The sweet clip has become the video creator's most-viewed to date.

Newsweek reached out to @margottherescue for more information via TikTok.

How Can You Support a Rescue Dog?

Everyone wants to rescue a dog, but how can you help such a pup settle into the new home that you are giving them? The task can be particularly tricky if the adopted dog has suffered from neglect, trauma or abuse.

Newsweek consulted the founder of HUB Veterinary Group, Courtney Bellew, for her advice on how new adopters and fosterers can best support their rescues.

"We always recommend new adopters give their rescue dog time to decompress. Give them comfort, structure and balance, but don't push them or force them into any situation that might make them feel uncomfortable or stressed," Bellew told Newsweek.

"We also recommend booking in a vet visit after a few days of settling in, just to make sure that all is well and up-to-date healthwise. Often, if a dog or puppy is not feeling their best, it can change their behavior, making adjustment to their new home even more difficult.

"Besides love, a full belly, a soft bed and some new toys, the best way to make your new rescue dog feel comfortable is by going slow and allowing them time to feel secure and safe," Bellew said.

This is perhaps why dog owners like Margot repeat the saying that rescue dogs need around three months to settle in before they start to feel at home.

Bellew, who also founded Special Needs Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Northeast (SNARR), said owners should maintain the same routine that the dog had at the animal rescue shelter; a swift change of routine could lead to the animal feeling fearful and nervous.

HUB Veterinary Group operates across the U.S., with key locations from New York to Texas.

What Do the Comments Say?

Since it had been shared to the social-media platform on March 7 by @margottherescue, the TikTok post has been liked by over 1.2 million users and commented on more than 4,500 times.

"You brought out her true self. Thank you for saving this beautiful little lady," the U.S. account of the skincare label La Roche Posay wrote.

"The 3 rule! 3 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months. Those are the milestones of adjustment for rescue dogs. So glad you're seeing month 3 play out," another added.

"I feel like dogs get zoomies to make us laugh more, because they seems to get more crazy when we laugh at them, and if so that's adorable," a third user shared.

The post had been captioned: "In honor of this being exactly a year ago, thought I'd bring it out again for some giggles. Never forget the 333 rule when adopting a dog! It takes on average 3 months for them to start to feel at home."

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.