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Basset Hound Takes Break From Puppies, Shock Over Who Owner Find Them With

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They say it takes a village to raise children—and it appears that saying holds true in the animal kingdom, too. One basset hound has gone viral after taking a short break from caring for her puppies, leaving viewers stunned by who stepped in to help.

In a TikTok video shared by Amber Nunnally (@amber_nunnally), six basset hound puppies can be seen cuddled up to a temporary caregiver while their mother rests nearby. But the babysitter of choice isn’t another dog.

The viral clip, which refers to the sitter as “their adoptive mama,” has racked up over 605,000 views and more than 101,000 likes at the time of writing. It shows the puppies piled on top of a cat named Kiki inside a pen, seemingly content in her care.

At one point in the video, Nunnally can be heard from behind the camera, saying, “those aren’t your babies,” prompting the puppies to bark and shuffle around. The clip ends with their “real mama” feeding them, while the caption adds: “my cat thinks they are her babies.”

Puppies and Independence

As puppies grow, their independence and activity levels naturally increase. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says this stage is when pups begin exploring their surroundings and forming stronger social bonds with people. Early exposure to humans is important, as mother dogs typically become more relaxed about people handling their puppies within the first few days after birth.

The AKC says the first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life are the most critical for social development. During this highly impressionable period, puppies benefit from positive interactions with people, other animals, and exposure to new sights and sounds. As they mature, a mother dog’s role gradually shifts from constant care and protection to encouraging independence. By around 8 weeks old, most puppies are usually ready to go to a new home.

While separation from their mother and littermates can initially be stressful—often leading to crying or whining—the AKC notes this adjustment period is normal. With patience, affection and socialization, puppies typically settle into their new surroundings and begin to thrive.

Viewers were quick to weigh in on the unlikely babysitting arrangement.

“It’s cracking me up how they look more like the cat than their real mama,” one user commented.

Another joked: “They were fine until you came over.”

A third added: “I know mom is a basset hound so that’s just how they look but she looks so sad you brought them back when she thought she had a babysitter.”

Nunnally replied simply: “She always looks sad.”

Newsweek reached out to @amber_nunnally for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.



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