A TikTok video showing three former shelter dogs curled up together in a family home has melted the hearts of viewers online, offering a quietly powerful snapshot of what rescue advocates call a “second chance.”
“I’ve always loved animals and spend a great deal of my time volunteering with local shelters and rescues, including walking shelter dogs and fostering animals in need,” the video’s creator, Billie Wensveen, told Newsweek. “I consider myself a fostering advocate and volunteer, and I try to be a voice for the voiceless.”
The short clip, shared by @billiewensveen, has been viewed more than 701,000 times on TikTok, drawing over 159,000 likes and a flood of heartfelt and amused comments from viewers.
In the video, three dogs are seen snuggled closely together in a home, gently licking one another—a clear sign of affection and trust. The smallest of the trio, a Chihuahua, appears comfortably perched on top of the largest dog, a German shepherd, as the group rests together.
An overlaid text on the video reads: “Three shelter pups, three second chances—now one little family.”
The caption beneath the post added: “Second chances look like this.”
Wensveen, 55, lives in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State and balances her work as a registered nurse with family life as a wife and mother to three children. She is also a longtime dog fosterer who regularly volunteers with local shelters and rescues, opening her home to animals in need.
“In the video, all of the dogs shown were once abandoned, unwanted, or strays,” she said. “Two of them are mine and both came into my life through fostering.”
One of those dogs is Harley, a pit bull who arrived at a local shelter pregnant. Wensveen fostered Harley and her seven puppies until they were old enough to be separated and adopted.
“Harley was such an incredible dog that I ultimately adopted her,” she said.
Another is Princess Peach, a Chihuahua who came to Wensveen as part of a foster group of nine siblings from a local shelter.
“I fell in love with her and adopted her as well,” she said.
The third dog featured in the video, Bailey, a German shepherd, belongs to Wensveen’s bonus child. Bailey was adopted from a local rescue and has lived with the family for the past three years.
Despite their different paths into the home, the dogs quickly formed a close bond.
“All of the dogs bonded very quickly and have been inseparable ever since,” Wensveen said. “They truly function as one big, happy pack and are wonderful foster sisters to the many dogs and cats that rotate through our home through fostering.”
While the video’s reach has been significant, Wensveen said its viral success was entirely unexpected.
“There wasn’t much thought behind it—it was simply a heartwarming and cute moment,” she said. “The response has been incredibly positive, and it’s been uplifting to see how much joy and lighthearted conversation it has sparked.”
For Wensveen, the appeal of the clip lies in its simplicity—and in what it represents.
“I think it resonates because people love animals and stories of connection and second chances,” she said.
In a matter of seconds, the video captures the outcome of years of rescue work: three dogs who were once unwanted, now inseparable, quietly demonstrating what can happen when vulnerable animals are given a place to belong.
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.
