Tears As Rescue Dog Takes First 'Cautious' Steps Into New Forever Home
A rescue dog's nervous first few steps inside his new forever home have been captured on camera.
There was a time when Stephanie Ruocco, from western Massachusetts, probably would have never even contemplated bringing a dog into her home. "I wasn't exactly a dog person," Ruocco told Newsweek. "Honestly, dogs kind of scared me."
But that all changed the day she spotted a white German shepherd on a trail cam in an area of woodland that makes up part of the 12-acre property where Ruocco lives. "He was mangy-looking and bone-thin," she said. "I thought it was a coyote at first and posted the video on my Facebook community page."
Ruocco soon learned that the dog, who was called Ghost at the time, had been missing since late February and living in the woods. He had been gifted to a retired local resident but had quickly bolted from his new home. Ruocco reached out to the animal's former owner. Though she got a response, communication between them ultimately broke down.
Despite this, Ruocco was determined to help. She began leaving food and water out for the canine every day, and, every day, he came back for more.
There was something about this dog, whom she would ultimately rename CJ, that struck a chord for Ruocco. "When I first saw CJ, he was this terrified stray, dodging everyone in the woods," she said. "Something about his fear of people mirrored my own unease, and it hit me hard. I didn't have a grand plan to rescue him. I just wanted to make sure he was fed and strong enough to survive out there."
For two months, come rain or shine, she showed up with food and water. Something magical began to happen. "We started to trust each other," Ruocco said. "I'd get this little spark of excitement seeing him, and he began to look healthier, his tail wagging a bit more."
The bond that can form between an individual and their pup occupies a unique space. This much was highlighted by a study published in the journal Scientific Reports earlier this year; 717 dog owners were asked to rate their relationship with a pet, close relative, child, best friend and romantic partner in 13 key areas, including reliability, companionship and affection.
Dogs scored higher in areas like nurture and companionship compared to best friends or romantic partners. They also scored higher for affection, support and reliability compared to best friends or close relatives. Owners also reported minimal conflict with canines. While different from human relationships, the study identified some of what truly makes a dog "man's best friend."
Ruocco's bond with CJ truly began to crystalize when she started bringing him toys, as well as food and water. "His joy was infectious. I don't think he'd ever had anyone play with him before," she said. "It was just us, two unlikely friends, building trust."
From there, it was a slow but steady progression to the point where CJ felt ready to come into Ruocco's home. "Taking him in wasn't a decision I planned," she said. "It was one we sort of made together, day by day."
Ruocco met CJ on May 19. By July 1, he was taking his first tentative steps into her home, in a moment captured on camera and posted to TikTok under the handle @stephanieruocco.
While the caption on the video notes that CJ was initially "cautious" of his new surroundings, even in that brief moment, there is a sense he is already letting his guard down. That was a special moment.
Ruocco said: "Honestly, I was freaking out with excitement because it was such a big step for this scared stray." The reaction online was similarly emotive, with users left in tears at what they were watching.
At that stage, Ruocco was still planning to hand CJ over to a local dog shelter in the hopes of finding him a forever home. But then she realized something: he had already found one. "I started to feel protective," she said. "I wasn't OK with just handing him over without knowing he'd be safe and loved. That's when it hit me … we wanted to advocate for him and, ultimately, adopt him and care for him."
CJ has gone from strength to strength ever since. Ruocco was so determined to bring him home, she even paid $800 compensation to his previous owner, while CJ has also undergone K9 training. Today, he is a dog transformed.
"For a dog who spent so long in the woods, he's remarkably well-mannered and affectionate," Ruocco said. "You can see the relief in him now that he no longer has to worry about his next meal or watch his back."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
21 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Man 'Weirded Out' By Wife's Choice For Baby Name: 'Isn't Human'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man has turned to Reddit for advice over his wife's "really strange" choice of baby name. The 31-year-old man and original poster (OP), user throwaway_4444444567, shared his story on Reddit, explaining that he and his 26-year-old wife have been married for two years and are expecting their first child, a girl. According to his post, he and his wife have a stable relationship, but there's just one problem: His wife wants to name their daughter after her childhood dog. Stock image of a woman looking at a list of girl's names. Stock image of a woman looking at a list of girl's names."I honestly think this is really strange," the OP admitted. "We are having a girl, and the name isn't a 'human' name (in my opinion). I don't want to say exactly what it is, but it's pretty similar to Lucky. "I feel uncomfortable about naming our daughter a dog name. I don't think that dogs' lives are less valuable than human lives; however, our daughter is going to have a life beyond us. "I would be weirded out if I were named after a dog. I don't know how to approach this subject with my wife because she has wanted to name her future child after her childhood dog since she was a teenager." "I don't want a blow-up fight over this, but I feel like this will affect our future child in the long term," he added. 'Not as uncommon as one would think' Discussing the OP's dilemma, Sherri Suzanne, a baby name consultant with told Newsweek, "I feel quite certain these parents-to-be will have many conversations about the child's name as time goes on. "Lots of us have teenage dreams of the 'perfect' baby name only to find that the 'dream name' doesn't work once part of a couple." When thinking of baby names, Suzanne explained that many parents "stick with human eponyms", but she noted that "honoring a pet in a baby name is not quite as uncommon as one would think—but in my practice, it is rarely deliberate". She continued, "In this case, the inspiration for the name is far less important than the name choice. "There is a broad palette of names, and good names come in all packages—traditional, unusual—but what all good names have in common is that they bring dignity to the bearer and can be introduced with confidence." Reddit Reacts Many Reddit users supported his decision to veto the name, with one writing, "Naming a child requires a yes from both parents. "If you aren't on board with naming your child something, that's the end of it. You both need to work together and come up with something together." Another added, "Problem isn't that this is a dog name - it's that she thinks she can unilaterally name the kid. "OP is NTA, but will probably get better mileage if he takes the tack of 'I don't like that name and we should agree on a name' and not 'Ew, I don't want my kid named after a dog'." In an update, the OP revealed the potential name of their daughter: Lassie. After taking on board Redditors' advice, he wrote, "I am going to suggest alternatives to my wife tonight, such as Lacy or Lacie." Other Baby Naming Disputes This isn't the first time a dispute over baby names has attracted online attention. According to a 2024 BabyCenter survey of more than 450 parents, nearly 1 in 10 mothers wish they had chosen a different name for their child. Many have shifted their preference over time, with 20% saying they now favor their child's nickname—whether it's a shortened form of the legal name or something entirely different—while 15% report preferring their child's middle name instead. Newsweek previously reported on a husband who refused his wife's chosen name for their child: "Princess" after her grandmother's middle name. When the husband expressed his dislike, his wife allegedly called him a "disgrace to her family" and "an awful father". Another Newsweek story described an expecting mother whose choice of baby name—Vaselina—was ridiculed by family members. Newsweek has contacted throwaway_4444444567 for comment via Reddit. To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here. Update: 8/14/25, 8:17 a.m. EST: This story has been updated to include expert comments.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man has dedicated 60 years to saving lives at sea
A 77-year-old who has dedicated more than 60 years to saving lives at sea has said he is far from retired. Richard Spindler, from Weston-super-Mare, was first introduced to the RNLI at the age of 12 when he volunteered to help clean lifeboats at weekends - little did he know at the time that it would turn into a lifelong commitment. He joined the crew aged 17 in 1965, and while he no longer goes out to sea, still gets "the tea and biscuits in" and looks after the crews and the boathouse "It's about being part of something bigger than yourself," said Mr Spindler, whose efforts have been recognised by him being named as a finalist in the volunteer category of the BBC's Make a Difference Awards. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset "It all started when I was 12. A friend's dad ran pleasure boats and invited me down to help. I found out they were part of the lifeboat crew too and I never looked back," Mr Spindler said. The stretch of coast near Weston-super-Mare is home to the second highest tidal range in the world. Over his decades of service, Mr Spindler said he had seen it at its most unforgiving in 1978 when he swam into a flooded cave at Brean Down to rescue three boys and two coastguard volunteers. "It was one of those nights you think should I really be doing this," said Mr Spindler. "But you do it, because there's a life at stake and you trust your crew completely. "When you save a child, something else happens in your heart... you don't forget that." Mr Spindler now spends his time looking after the Weston lifeboat boathouse and supporting crews. "I still get the tea and biscuits in," he said. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 by Prince William, but said: "It's not about medals. "It's about saving lives. It's the greatest feeling in the world. "I love it, I love Weston, I love the boats and I love the RNLI. We're one family wherever you go in the country, if you're lifeboat crew, you're home." You can find out more about the BBC Make a Difference Awards where you live here. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story BBC Make a Difference Awards launch across the UK Related internet links MAD Awards
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tears As Rescue Dog Takes First 'Cautious' Steps Into New Forever Home
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A rescue dog's nervous first few steps inside his new forever home have been captured on camera. There was a time when Stephanie Ruocco, from western Massachusetts, probably would have never even contemplated bringing a dog into her home. "I wasn't exactly a dog person," Ruocco told Newsweek. "Honestly, dogs kind of scared me." But that all changed the day she spotted a white German shepherd on a trail cam in an area of woodland that makes up part of the 12-acre property where Ruocco lives. "He was mangy-looking and bone-thin," she said. "I thought it was a coyote at first and posted the video on my Facebook community page." Ruocco soon learned that the dog, who was called Ghost at the time, had been missing since late February and living in the woods. He had been gifted to a retired local resident but had quickly bolted from his new home. Ruocco reached out to the animal's former owner. Though she got a response, communication between them ultimately broke down. Despite this, Ruocco was determined to help. She began leaving food and water out for the canine every day, and, every day, he came back for more. There was something about this dog, whom she would ultimately rename CJ, that struck a chord for Ruocco. "When I first saw CJ, he was this terrified stray, dodging everyone in the woods," she said. "Something about his fear of people mirrored my own unease, and it hit me hard. I didn't have a grand plan to rescue him. I just wanted to make sure he was fed and strong enough to survive out there." For two months, come rain or shine, she showed up with food and water. Something magical began to happen. "We started to trust each other," Ruocco said. "I'd get this little spark of excitement seeing him, and he began to look healthier, his tail wagging a bit more." The bond that can form between an individual and their pup occupies a unique space. This much was highlighted by a study published in the journal Scientific Reports earlier this year; 717 dog owners were asked to rate their relationship with a pet, close relative, child, best friend and romantic partner in 13 key areas, including reliability, companionship and affection. Dogs scored higher in areas like nurture and companionship compared to best friends or romantic partners. They also scored higher for affection, support and reliability compared to best friends or close relatives. Owners also reported minimal conflict with canines. While different from human relationships, the study identified some of what truly makes a dog "man's best friend." Ruocco's bond with CJ truly began to crystalize when she started bringing him toys, as well as food and water. "His joy was infectious. I don't think he'd ever had anyone play with him before," she said. "It was just us, two unlikely friends, building trust." From there, it was a slow but steady progression to the point where CJ felt ready to come into Ruocco's home. "Taking him in wasn't a decision I planned," she said. "It was one we sort of made together, day by day." Ruocco met CJ on May 19. By July 1, he was taking his first tentative steps into her home, in a moment captured on camera and posted to TikTok under the handle @stephanieruocco. While the caption on the video notes that CJ was initially "cautious" of his new surroundings, even in that brief moment, there is a sense he is already letting his guard down. That was a special moment. Ruocco said: "Honestly, I was freaking out with excitement because it was such a big step for this scared stray." The reaction online was similarly emotive, with users left in tears at what they were watching. At that stage, Ruocco was still planning to hand CJ over to a local dog shelter in the hopes of finding him a forever home. But then she realized something: he had already found one. "I started to feel protective," she said. "I wasn't OK with just handing him over without knowing he'd be safe and loved. That's when it hit me … we wanted to advocate for him and, ultimately, adopt him and care for him." CJ has gone from strength to strength ever since. Ruocco was so determined to bring him home, she even paid $800 compensation to his previous owner, while CJ has also undergone K9 training. Today, he is a dog transformed. "For a dog who spent so long in the woods, he's remarkably well-mannered and affectionate," Ruocco said. "You can see the relief in him now that he no longer has to worry about his next meal or watch his back."
