Dog's Adoption Goes Wrong—Tears at What She Still Does: 'Heart of Gold'

Newsweek

8 hours ago

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 rescue dog named Bonnie has been making waves online after she was returned to her foster home and whined constantly—sparking concern.
Her carer, Amy Waddington (@amywaddington3), posted a TikTok clip showing the beige pooch sitting on the couch and letting out a steady cry. The footage has been liked almost 20,000 times and viewed over 256,000 times on the platform.
In text overlay on the video, Waddington said: "Bonnie often seems unsettled. She makes this noise a lot. It's one of the reasons her adoption failed."
Waddington later told followers that Bonnie had already played in the garden and had breakfast before the video was filmed. "I'm sat with her, but she seems so unsettled," she said.
@amywaddington3
Bonnie is our foster dog from Romania. She was with us for a few weeks in Sept 2024 and then she was adopted for six months. The adoption didn't work out for a number of reasons and she's been back with us for six months now. Bonnie isn't the easiest of dogs but she does have a heart of gold under all the noise and bravado. She often whines when we are sitting and resting. She doesn't seem unhappy but she does seem restless. She's such a busy dog, I often wonder, can dogs have ADHD or is there a canine equivalent? We do play time with her, she has good walks, she's got three other dogs to play with and a heap of enrichment toys. We share lots of fun videos of Bonnie, I thought I'd share something a little different. Helpful and kind thoughts and advice is welcomed 🥰🙏🏻. #Bonnieandme #rescuedog #fyp #dogtraining #bekind ♬ Kitchen Fan Lullaby (Raw) - Claire Boyer
Bonnie's journey has been far from straightforward. Waddington said that she is a foster dog from Romania who first stayed with them for a few weeks in September 2024.
Bonnie was then adopted for six months, but the placement didn't work out, and she has now been back in Waddington's care for another half-year.
"Bonnie isn't the easiest of dogs, but she does have a heart of gold under all the noise and bravado," Waddington said.
"She often whines when we are sitting and resting. She doesn't seem unhappy but she does seem restless. She's such a busy dog … Helpful and kind thoughts and advice is welcomed."
Amber Batteiger is an animal emergency services and disaster relief expert and PR and communications manager at Embrace Pet Insurance. She told Newsweek that excessive whining or crying is "very common" in newly adopted rescue dogs.
Stock image: A brown dog rests on the couch.
Stock image: A brown dog rests on the couch.
Miguel Romero/iStock / Getty Images Plus
She said that vocalization is "rarely just 'for attention'—it's a form of communication rooted in anxiety, uncertainty, confusion, or unmet needs."
Batteiger said crying can be triggered by separation anxiety, adjustment stress, or physical discomfort, and, sometimes, it is simply the dog trying to make sense of their new environment.
She advised pet parents to observe when the whining occurs—whether it is during transitions, when the dog is left alone, or alongside pacing and panting—which can indicate distress. If the whining is tied to being ignored or wanting interaction, then it may still be a sign of emotional insecurity.
Batteiger added that canines thrive on structure and routine, recommending a predictable schedule and a safe space to decompress.
Reinforcing calm behavior, practicing low-key arrivals and departures, and following the "3-3-3 rule"—three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine, and three months to feel at home—can help.
"If the crying is persistent, intense, or accompanied by other signs of distress, like refusal to eat, destructive behavior, or self-injury, the pet parents need to talk to a veterinarian or behaviorist," Batteiger said. She added that rescue dogs may arrive with "emotional baggage" but also have "an incredible capacity to heal and to love deeply."
The video sparked a wave of comments from TikTok users offering their experiences and theories.
"Our borzoi boy also is a bit whiny and unsettled sometimes when we rest, especially in the evenings. Even when exercised well, fed and happy. We found out that we just need to howl with him for 5 minutes or so. We call them our evening 'complaints' so every evening the whole family howls together and he's happy after," one user wrote.
"Maybe she is pining for another dog she was with in her previous country," another posted.
"She might not be stimulated enough, I would definitely try and make some brain activities with her. Some dogs just need more stuff to do than others to settle all the way down. My dog does similar when he's bored or he wants to do stuff," said Christinna.
"I think she doesn't know how to rest—it's trauma related, humans get it as well. Just be patient and try and have very set routine," Lou commented.
Newsweek reached out to @amywaddington3 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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.