Senior Rescue Dog in ‘Worst Condition’ Melts Hearts as He Enjoys New Life

A video of a rescue dog enjoying his first-ever pup cup, a whipped cream treat served in a coffee cup, has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was posted by @lottosworld and has had 2.4 million views since it was first shared on April 6. The footage was captured in Los Angeles, according to the location shared with the post.

A message overlaid on the clip says: “First stop after busting out of the shelter.” The footage shows a dog sitting in the front seat of a car, licking away at a pup cup held out to him by a hand.

A caption shared with the post reads: “Let the spoiling begin! Welcome to your new life Lotto.“

According to a previous video posted on April 5, 10-year-old Lotto was “dumped at the South LA shelter in the worst condition by his garbage owners.”

He is “missing half his fur,” while his eyes are infected and his nails are overgrown, the caption said, noting “and that’s just what we can see.”

In a comment in the latest video, the poster noted that Lotto has “lived outside for 10 years eating god knows what, was infested with fleas and completely neglected. One little treat is ok.”

Each year 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

Pup owners in the U.S. spend over $2 billion a year on treats for their dogs, veterinarians Krista Williams and Robin Downing noted in an article for VCA, one of North America’s largest animal hospital chains.

While it’s nice for dogs to enjoy a sweet treat, such as the canine in the latest viral clip, having too many will disrupt your dog’s appetite for regular food, the veterinarians warned.

“This can contribute to a nutritional imbalance in the long term, and can turn him into a ‘fussy eater,’ making it particularly challenging to use therapeutic nutrition should the need arise later in life to manage a disease nutritionally,” they noted.

Williams and Downing also advised that treats should never make up more than 10 percent of a canine’s energy/calorie intake, and keeping it at five percent is even better.

This is because unlike commercially prepared dog foods, dog treats are not balanced and nutritionally complete and “providing too many treats actually upsets the nutritional balance of the regular ration,” the veterinarians explained.

They warned: “Do not be fooled by treats that are labeled ‘light’ or ‘lower calorie.’ These are not significantly lower in calorie than other treats and they do add extra calories to a dog’s daily intake.”

Too many treats can also raise your pet’s risk of becoming overweight and obese. Both conditions “are now afflicting family dogs at epidemic rates,” Williams and Downing said.

‘Sweet Beginnings’

TikTok users adored the dog enjoying his first pup cup in the latest viral clip.

Peggy said “Aww New sweet beginnings” and SavvySuxx said “What a perfect first stop!”

Chelsea French noted: “I’ve never seen someone enjoy a pup cup so politely!”

CenaB wrote “So so delightful” and Laurieleann noted “Bless that sweet baby’s precious little heart!”

User averii said: “im sorry but im bawling my eyes out what the, that little baby, hope he lives a beautiful new life with you, bless you both :D.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

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