Rescue Dog Has Bittersweet First Morning Waking Up In His New Home

When someone adopts a rescued dog from a shelter, they don't always know its backstory. Many dogs are brought in by good Samaritans who found them wandering the streets with no collar, chip, or owner to claim them. Others are rescued from deplorable conditions, with no mysteries about their past. Their sad eyes and defensive behavior point to a life of abuse and neglect. When they finally find a safe, loving, comfortable home, it's natural for them to be apprehensive at first. This was the case with a rescued Cane Corso mix named Baloo. His mom, Sophie Coombs, shared a video in October 2025 of his first morning in her home.

@sophcoombs

And that's on growth and feeling at home 🥹 #rescuedogsoftiktok #rescuedogsrock #shelterdog

♬ Something Inbetween – Olivia Dean

As Baloo sees his new mom approaching him in the living room, he slowly rises from the sofa to greet her, his tail wagging at full speed the whole time. He lowers his head in surrender when she approaches, unsure of her next move. She showers him with love by scratching and petting him, which seems to loosen him up. The second half of the video shows a more comfortable, confident response a month later, as he gladly welcomes the lower back scratches that Sophie offers.

The video touched thousands of viewers, some of whom shared their own rescue stories. "Thank you for saving him and giving him a great life," one viewer said. Many others also offered their gratitude for her kindness in giving him a second chance at life.

Baloo wound up at a shelter in the UK on July 12, 2025, with another dog believed to be his mother. They both showed signs of hand shyness when approached, just as he did in the clip above. Sophie and her husband both volunteered at the shelter as dog walkers, which is how they met him. "I just fell in love with him immediately," she said in a November 2025 TikTok video. When she took him on his first walk as a volunteer, he seemed skittish and hesitant to trust. She also noticed several scars on different parts of his body. Sadly, his behavior and appearance suggested that he likely endured abuse in his previous life, but after a successful pre-adoption home visit, the Coombses adopted him in late September.

Despite being timid at first, Baloo continues to show signs of progress. During his first weekend in his new home, he enjoyed brief walks, plenty of snuggling at his mom's side, and playing in the garden and with his toys. He wasn't a fan of barking dogs on television or visitors in his home in his early days, but now, he doesn't mind either. Day after day, he continues to be molded into a normal, care-free dog that knows he's loved. He plays in the snow, steals his mom's side of the bed, and has even had a few dog zoomies. With more of these happy days, hopefully, any memories of his difficult past will completely disappear.

Care to read another heartwarming rescue story like this one? Check out this sick rescue dog's incredible transformation after adoption.