A video capturing how a senior golden retriever that was “left outside” for nearly 10 years before he was adopted falls asleep in his new home has left internet viewers in tears.
The clip was shared by @katiegetsto and has amassed over 28,000 views since it was shared on June 29. Text overlaid on the video reads: “My newly adopted senior golden retriever falls asleep with his eyes on us always.”
The clip shows the canine sitting on a couch, staring back at the camera with eyes wide open before slowly drifting into a slumber with half-blinking eyes. The caption shared with the post says: “When you’re left outside for almost 10 years and finally find your people, you can’t stop looking at them.”
Social isolation is among the greatest stressors for dogs in animal shelters, explained a March 2019 study in PeerJ—the Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences.
Previous research has shown that “human interaction reduces cortisol in shelter dogs, with the possibility that longer periods of interaction may yield greater effects,” the March 2019 study said.
It found that “dogs’ cortisol [a hormone regulating stress]: creatinine ratios dropped significantly during their fostering stay, but returned to baseline levels after return to the shelter.”
The canines also had “their longest bouts of rest during sleepovers, followed by in the shelter after their sleepovers,” the study added.
‘I’m Crying’
The viral clip has melted the hearts of viewers on TikTok.
Amy said: “Well, I just opened the app for the day. It’s 6:23am. I’m crying already *sigh*.”
Mich 🇨🇦 posted: “omg [oh my God] if he blinks he might be dreaming.
Sheila Deinhart commented: “Thinks he’s going to be abandoned! So glad he’s with you.”
Jennifer Farrar wrote: “Sweet angel doesn’t want to let you out of his site. My heart.”
“I am crying so much!!!! Goldens are THE best dogs on the planet, add in a rescue golden AND a senior rescue golden?!!! You hit the jackpot my friend. Signed- a lifelong golden owner and senior/rescue golden mom,” said M&M.
User jamiebeeb posted: “The seniors really appreciate everything. You’ve got a real beauty there!”
“He is so precious. Beautiful fur baby,” noted babs3600, and rescuerevolution55 added: “Rest easy baby. You’re home.”
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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