Owner Lets Rescue Dog on Bed for First Time—Tears at Reaction: 'Poor Baby'

Newsweek

3 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A big rescue dog's first experience in their owner's bed has captured the hearts of viewers across TikTok.
Steph (@stephr222),35, shared a now-viral video of her helping her sister's Bernese mountain dog, Oakley, 6, climb into bed. The wholesome moment has garnered over 127,000 likes and almost 800,000 views on TikTok.
"Oakley had originally been a 'mill mama.' She had lost her most-recent litter and was going to be killed, so, fortunately, the rescue took her in. That was two years ago, so Oakley is now 6 years old. She is super sweet, but still working on coming out her shell. She takes a bit to warm up to new people, but after some time she gets more trusting," Steph told Newsweek.
When Oakley's owner, Lindsay, 25, is working at the hospital as a nurse, the big pup gets to stay at their mom's house, where she plays in the backyard with two golden retrievers. Oakley also loves to be dressed up in bows.
"When your rescue dog has never been on a bed before," reads the text overlaid on the video. "Meet Oogbus Boogus," Steph captioned the post.
In the clip, Lindsay is seen encouraging her large dog onto the bed. She gently tries to guide him by lifting his front paws, but he doesn't seem to understand what to do. Eventually, Steph lifts his back legs and hoists him up successfully. The bewildered pup stands on the bed before Steph gives him a warm snuggle.
"Oakley does still prefer the floor; she has a spot next to my sister's bed that she's always sitting in. So, the video is my sister trying to show her she can sit anywhere she wants," Steph said.
Bernese mountain dogs are known for being affectionate, gentle giants. The American Kennel Club says that the breed is intelligent, calm-natured, and especially good with families. While the dogs thrive in active homes, they also adore lounging close to their favorite humans—which makes Oakley's hesitation all the more heartwarming.
A split image of Oakley the Bernese mountain dog being hoisted onto the bed by his owner Lindsay.
A split image of Oakley the Bernese mountain dog being hoisted onto the bed by his owner Lindsay.
@stephr222/@stephr222
Helping a rescue dog adjust to a new home can take time and patience. The charity Dogs Trust UK advises that adopters go at their pet's pace, allow them space to explore, and avoid overwhelming them with too many new experiences at once. Positive reinforcement, routines, and consistency can help formerly neglected or traumatized dogs gain confidence and feel safe in their new surroundings.
Viewers shared a mix of emotional and practical reactions in the comments.
"She is so scared. She may have been punished by the previous owner for it. Spoil that sweet baby rotten, she deserves it," said one user.
"Not him thinking you're a bad influence," added Nicole.
Another viewer had a different take: "A rescue that has no inclination to get on the bed or couch … BONUS! Sorry, I'm not with you on this one, especially with her size. Why ruin a good thing. She can be loved on off the bed and couch. Also, jumping down, unnecessary pressure on her joints. Just my thoughts."
"I swear trying to get a rescue dog to actually act like a dog is hard work. took forever to get mine to play toys because they didn't understand, or getting them to sit with us on the couch," read one comment.
"I rescued an Alaskan Malamute. He had never been inside a house, seen carpet or hardwood, full grass orrrr couches/beds. This was his exact reaction. But now he's a couch potato," said Kaitlyn.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [e-mail] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.