Latest news with #AmericanStaffordshire
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Senior Shelter Dog Has Day Out, His Reaction to Paddling Pool Goes Viral
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. Social media users can't cope with the adorable moment a stressed out shelter dog got to enjoy some time in the paddling pool and even tried to do water zoomies. Cairo, the 9-year-old old American Staffordshire terrier mix has been at Aurora Animal Care and Control since May 22 where he's waiting to be adopted. There's no doubt that shelters can be quite overwhelming, and Cairo has certainly been feeling very stressed since he arrived. Carissa Hartwig, a volunteer at Aurora Animal Care and Control in Illinois, decided to give Cairo a bit of a break from the chaos and let him enjoy some time in the paddling pool instead. Needless to say, he didn't hesitate for a moment to dive straight in and enjoy the cool water. His reaction was delightful for Hartwig to see, and she told Newsweek that she's "never seen a dog love the pool so much." He instantly lay down in the water, started spinning around, and of course, splashing it all over. Cairo the shelter dog enjoying the paddling pool at Aurora Animal Care and Control. Cairo the shelter dog enjoying the paddling pool at Aurora Animal Care and Control. @chaosinmycrocs29 / TikTok "During the summer months, the pool stays out for all the dogs at the Aurora Animal Care and Control to enjoy. Most dogs just drink out of the pool, but obviously Cairo took advantage of the opportunity and decided to splish splash around," Hartwig said. "He's a total fish, so he was so excited to jump in to cool off and have pool zoomies. It looks like he was trying to create a whirlpool." Indeed, Hartwig has taken a lot of the dogs out during her time volunteering, but most of them just ignore the paddling pool is even there. Not Cairo though, who couldn't get enough of the water. "It was really exciting to see a dog love it so much. It was adorable how he was a bit reluctant at first, then he was blowing bubbles with his nose, then went full force into swim mode," Hartwig continued. Hartwig shared the adorable clip of Cairo in the pool on her TikTok account (@chaosinmycrocs2) and the clip went viral with over 1.1 million views and 234,500 likes at the time of writing. While he may be in his more senior years, Cairo certainly isn't slowing down. He is still full of energy and loves greeting people with so much joy and affection. Although, capturing photos of him can be quite difficult, as Hartwig jokes that he never stops moving. "He looks like a little hippo and has the cutest short legs. He gives big dog energy, but he is a short king," she said. The shelter doesn't have any information about Cairo's history, so it's hard to say whether he would be suited to a household with children or other pets. But if given patience and time to adjust, they think he could still be a great fit for anyone. "Cairo is currently quite stressed at the shelter, so he could potentially have dog friends in the future, but right now he would benefit from some time decompressing. We think he could do well with children, but he is a bit of bowling ball. And we aren't sure how he would do with cats, either, but it's always suggested to do a slow intro," Hartwig told Newsweek. Since sharing his paddling pool antics online, she's been amazed by the overwhelmingly positive response. The comments and likes are wonderful, but the overriding aim is to find Cairo (and the many other shelter dogs) a home, and that's still yet to happen. In a matter of days, the viral clip has amassed over 1,800 comments on TikTok. Internet users have lauded Cairo's reaction to the water, with many hoping he gets adopted by someone with an even bigger pool to enjoy. One comment reads: "He's practicing his tryout for the synchronized swimming team." Another person wrote: "Awww. I hope he gets adopted by a family with a pool and kids! Putting it out to the universe!" Another TikTok user wrote: "I could watch him swim all day. He is so happy." While one commenter added: "This baby was is secretly an otter!" Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Pit Bull Becomes a Nanny to Rescue Kitten, Goes Viral—'Love at First Sight'
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. The adorable bond between a pit bull and a rescue kitten has melted hearts online, leaving social-media users in awe of the undeniable love they share. The precious moment when Twiggles, the white American Staffordshire and pit bull mix, and the kitten bonded was shared on the dog's dedicated TikTok account (@twigglesaur). During the clip, the dog's owner sat with the small gray kitten named Taco on her lap, while Twiggles sat on the other side and just stared lovingly at the feline. The 2-year-old dog appeared so infatuated by the kitten that she stared lovingly and barely took her eyes off him. Alongside the sweet clip, the TikTok caption reads: "I suppose I can nanny kittens too." The video has gone viral since it was shared on June 20, generating over 474,000 views and more than 100,000 likes at the time of writing. From left: Twiggles the pit bull mix and Taco the rescue kitten lay with a person. From left: Twiggles the pit bull mix and Taco the rescue kitten lay with a person. @twigglesaur / TikTok There's no doubt Twiggles is taking her role as the nanny very seriously, as her owner has continued to share more clips of the inseparable duo spending time together. Throughout the many videos, Twiggles can be seen watching over Taco and following him around as his protector. Indeed, their owner, from San Francisco, California, even caught the duo cuddling up on the sofa together, as Taco curled in the crook of the dog's legs. Needless to say, internet users can't get enough of the bond they have quickly developed and the maternal instinct that Twiggles has displayed. Twiggles's owner found Taco during a walk, and she didn't hesitate to pick up the kitten and take him home to safety. Unfortunately, as the owner is allergic to cats, keeping him permanently isn't an option and she is searching for someone to adopt Taco. That might prove more difficult now after seeing the formidable friendship he has struck up with Twiggles. It is believed that Taco was around 3 to 4 weeks old when he was discovered, and he is said to be "very brave, super curious, and very adventurous." A pit bull and tiny kitten might not be the most conventional of friendships, but Twiggles and Taco don't seem to care about their size (and species) difference. The besties have certainly melted plenty of hearts online, leading to more than 110 comments on the viral TikTok video so far. One comment reads: "Best nanny ever." Another TikTok user wrote: "So sweet, she just wants love that baby." A third person added: "It's love at first sight." One commenter replied: "This is the beginning of a strong friendship and care." Newsweek has contacted @twigglesaur via TikTok for comment. We could not verify the details of the video. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Multiple dogs shocked by stray voltage from light poles, manholes in Chicago
In at least four recent incidents in Chicago, dogs — and in one case, an owner — were shocked after coming into contact with a light pole or manhole cover. Experts warned that the problem is worse in the winter. Dan Frantz's 3-year-old American Staffordshire terrier was among the dogs who suffered electric shocks recently. Frantz regularly takes Sally out to play with her ball in the snow at Claremont Park, at Claremont Avenue and Flournoy Street on the Near West Side. Frantz said last Wednesday, he was leaving the park with Sally — and when they got onto the sidewalk on Flournoy Street, horror transpired. "As soon as I stepped up onto that curb next to the light pole, Sally here — she literally, like it almost like was like she was shocked," Frantz said. "She like seized up and then dropped to the ground." Sally made contact at the base of a light pole with her paws. Frantz thought his dog was having a seizure or a stroke, so he reached down to her. He then realized Sally was getting shocked — because he got shocked too. "When she grabbed onto my hand and I pulled backwards, that broke the current," Frantz said. Frantz shared medical records showing Sally broke his finger when she bit him during the incident. "Like, she knew she messed up by biting me. But if she hadn't have bit me, and if I hadn't have pulled back, I mean, it could have been way worse," Frantz said. "She could have been shocked to death." In River North over the weekend, a dog did die upon walking over an electrified manhole at Ontario and Dearborn streets. Another dog was shocked walking over that same manhole, but survived. The Chicago Department of Transportation, said in a statement that these incidents from stray voltage are rare. The department said owners should make sure dogs urinate away from light poles, and avoid contact with metal surfaces. This applies especially in winter, when melting snow and salt can increase conductivity. Frantz said he called 311 to report what happened. A few days later, another dog, walking with their owner, made contact with the same light pole. That dog was shocked and also survived. Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) said in a statement: "We want to make sure people and animals are safe at all times from electrical hazards in the community. The issue was resolved by ComEd." The animal welfare organization Anti-Cruelty says dog owners can also put rubber booties on their dogs, to keep them safe. But if the dog doesn't cooperate? "Any manhole covers, light poles, utility access points, metal grates, anything that can be electrified we're encouraging folks to avoid," said Lydia Krupinksi of Anti-Cruelty.
