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Stray Walks In And Climbs Onto Stranger’s Couch, ‘Welcome Home I Guess’

By: Julie Hunt
Julie Hunt is an avid dog lover and writer for iHeartDogs.com, and has a background as a veterinary technician. She rescued a beautiful former bait dog named Rory.Read more
| January 3, 2025

The heartwarming story of a stray dog finding her forever home has captured the internet’s attention, spreading smiles across social media. In a now-viral TikTok video posted by user @idk.how.to.work.this.app, a brindle dog was shown curled up on a couch, peacefully napping. The text overlay read, “This stray dog walked into my house unprovoked this morning when I opened the door to take the trash out…She has now been asleep on my couch for approximately 4 hours. Welcome home, I guess?”

@idk.how.to.work.this.app/TikTok

The video has since garnered over 900,000 views, with people around the world touched by the unexpected arrival of this sweet pup. The TikTok poster, known as Coco, shared more about the dog, who she named Cookie, in follow-up videos.

@idk.how.to.work.this.app Who rescued who? #creatorsearchinsights #dog #dogsoftiktok #animallover #animalsoftiktok #stray #straydog #fyp ♬ Lovable and funny animals – ALOHI STYLE

One clip featured Cookie happily enjoying breakfast after a restful night in her newfound sanctuary. Coco explained that she had seen Cookie several times before, wandering by the roadside near her home. Despite living in a small community of just 238 people, Coco and her neighbors had checked to see if Cookie had an owner, but sadly, no one claimed her.

@idk.how.to.work.this.app/TikTok

It became evident that Cookie had been seeking refuge on Coco’s porch for weeks, as indicated by the disheveled cushions she left behind. The turning point in their story came one evening when Cookie, scared but hopeful, whined softly as Coco let their other rescue dog, Muffin, outside. “I fed her and loved on her, and I guess she loved me back,” Coco shared in one of the videos.

@idk.how.to.work.this.app Replying to @amithereyet She has ate well today ❤️ #dog #dogsoftiktok #adoptdontshop #stray #rescuedog #fyp ♬ original sound – Coco | Girl Mama

Cookie’s story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by stray animals. While stray dog and cat intakes in U.S. shelters have slightly decreased, they still make up 56% of all shelter admissions. In the first half of 2024, 3.12 million animals entered shelters, underscoring the need for compassionate individuals like Coco who step in to make a difference.

@idk.how.to.work.this.app/TikTok

Coco’s kindness isn’t new—her family has rescued other animals, including a cat, a pig named Oreo, and a horse affectionately named David Hasselhoof. Cookie’s arrival has been celebrated by countless commenters on TikTok, who shared their joy at her adoption. “You’ve been adopted!! You must be a good hooman,” one user, Hyla Cohen, wrote. Another, nettielove75, added, “Poor baby is exhausted! Thank you for being an absolute ANGEL!!”

Heartbreaking Discovery: Dozens of Dogs Found After Cruelty Charges
Heartbreaking Discovery: Dozens of Dogs Found After Cruelty Charges

Shockingly, this is not the first time she has faced animal cruelty charges; she has a past conviction for similar crimes. We must ensure that no more animals suffer or die in her care!

Cookie is now a permanent member of Coco’s family and we couldn’t be happier. What would you do if a stray animal wandered into your house and made themselves at home? Please share your thoughts in our comment section. We love hearing from you!

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