Dog Who Has Unexpected Reaction to the Rain Wins Pet of the Week

Newsweek

26-04-2025

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.
This week, we've seen a rescue dog become a "bonus mom" to a litter of orphaned puppies and a blind cat's complete joy at stumbling on a toy during playtime.
But it isn't just viral pets we like to share; we also love seeing readers' pet stories, videos and pictures for our Newsweek Pet of the Week lineup.
Don't forget; if you think your animal could be our Pet of the Week, follow the instructions at the end of this story to get involved.
From left: Clemmy the dog enjoys the South Carolina rain.
From left: Clemmy the dog enjoys the South Carolina rain.
Patrick Whiddon
Winner
This week's Pet of the Week is Clemmy, who lives in South Carolina with owner Patrick Whiddon.
"She is a Boykin, AKA Swamp Poodle," Whiddon told Newsweek. Clemmy was adopted from the Boykin Rescue Society, and Whiddon said: "She is just a sweet companion dog, so eager to please and play."
In a hilarious video, Clemmy showed off her classic Boykin spaniel nature, gleefully embracing a rainy downpour. In the video, she leaped beneath a gushing rain pipe, trying to catch the streaming water.
"[She] loves to play in the rain; even catches rain drops," Whiddon said.
The Boykin spaniel is a medium-sized sporting breed developed in South Carolina in the early 1900s. Originally bred for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the dense Wateree River swamp, the breed traces its roots to a stray named "Dumpy," who was taken in by local sportsman Whit Boykin.
Today, the Boykin spaniel is celebrated as South Carolina's official state dog—loved for its loyalty, intelligence, and spirited nature—as Clemmy's joyful antics clearly show.
Sheena waits for her owner to return home.
Sheena waits for her owner to return home.
David Applegarth
Finalists
Our first finalist this week is Sheena, a German shepherd dog who was pictured waiting patiently for owner David Applegarth to return.
"My rescue waiting for me to return the first time I left her at home to go shopping," Applegarth shared alongside a picture of the pup perched on the chair.
Black-and-white cat Princess sits on a cardboard box.
Black-and-white cat Princess sits on a cardboard box.
Suzanne Schulz
Next up this week is Princess, a 7-year-old cat who displayed a classic feline trait—a love of boxes.
In a heartwarming picture, the black-and-white feline was pictured on the counter on top of a cardboard box. Owner Suzanne Schulz told Newsweek: "Princess loves boxes. [I] caught her on the counter, I still love her, I am passionate about treating animals with respect."
Arthur enjoys some playtime on the artificial grass at home.
Arthur enjoys some playtime on the artificial grass at home.
Maria Fernanda Cartaya
Last but not least this week is Arthur, a playful pup who was rescued from the streets two years ago. "He arrived to the shelter with an injury that required his front leg to be amputated," owner Maria Fernanda Cartaya told Newsweek.
But Arthur's lack of limbs hasn't slowed him down, and he was adopted soon after by his loving family. "Now he's living his best life. He's happy, healthy, and very loved," Cartaya said.
If you think your pet could be next week's Newsweek "Pet of the Week," send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to [e-mail] and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.