Dog Owner's Heartbreaking Video Shows 'What Rescue Looks Like'

A trio of puppies who were found caged in the desert wouldn't come out of their hiding place after being rescued, and a video of their scared faces as they began to trust again has left internet users heartbroken.

The viral clip was shared on TikTok on Wednesday by the woman who saved them, 31-year-old Kels McDonough, from Southern California, under the username @kelsmcdonough. In the clip, she can be seen lying still on the bathroom floor, near the puppies but far enough to give them the space they need.

"This is what rescue looks like," reads layover text in the clip, as the poster slowly begins to inch her hand closer to the puppies, to try to get them out of their hiding spot, right behind the toilet.

McDonough told Newsweek that, after being found in a cage in the middle of the desert, the puppies, now named Nash, Ranger and Rory, were brought to an overcrowded shelter, which redlisted them to be euthanized almost immediately.

From left: the poster lays on the floor; and the three rescues hide. A video showing what the first few days after a rescue look like for dogs has broken hearts among internet users. From left: the poster lays on the floor; and the three rescues hide. A video showing what the first few days after a rescue look like for dogs has broken hearts among internet users. @kelsmcdonough

"These pups were faced with such a sad fate. They had an 'out time' of 3 p.m. and by 2 p.m. all three were finally, finally SAFE. It really was a miracle." she said.

The text in the clip continues: "Three 16-week-old puppies on their first day home … Who were too scared to leave the bathroom floor. We have no idea what their story is, besides that they were found in cage in the desert, taken to a shelter and then red listed once there. How could someone ever do this to you?"

Thanks to the increasing number of people choosing to adopt pets instead of buying, the number of animals in shelter has slightly decreased in the last few years. However, it is still overwhelming. On average, 17,260 animals enter shelters in America every day, for a total of over 6.3 million per year. Unfortunately, about 920,000 are euthanized in shelter every year, often due to overcrowding.

@kelsmcdonough

I don’t usually post what the first couple days of rescue looks like- but this is it. Full shut down and fear from dogs who have no idea if you are safe or if they are in danger once again. The world can be such a cruel place for these dogs, and I know we cant even fathom what they’ve been through before they make it to us. Decompression in those first days is so important, for us it looked like me laying on the bathroom floor and complete calmness/stillness. Baby steps, for three puppies who have been through entirely too much. #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #foryoupageofficiall #dog #dogs #dogsoftiktok #adopt #adoptadog #rescue #shelter #shelterdogs #foryourpage #doglover #dogtok #puppy #puppies #doggo #rescuedog #rescuedogs

♬ Clair de lune/Debussy - もつ

The Humane Society of the United States says on its website that, when shelters inject animals with euthanasia drugs, they lose consciousness in as little as three to five seconds. However, sometimes shelters still use gas chambers, which the society describes as "cruel torture devices."

In these gas chambers, which are commonly used in under-resourced shelters, the pups suffer in dark, small boxes, often smelling like the previous dogs, for several minutes, until they start losing consciousness. It may take as long as 20 minutes for that to happen, and often, their organs begin shutting down before it does.

Thankfully, all of the three puppies featured in the clip were saved just in time, and after the first few days of confusion, they soon let their gentle nature take over, and began to trust again.

Nash can be seen on a hike with his new mom. The first few days after being rescued, he and his brothers wouldn't come out their hiding place. Now they are all happy and spoiled. Nash can be seen on a hike with his new mom. The first few days after being rescued, he and his brothers wouldn't come out their hiding place. Now they are all happy and spoiled. @kelsmcdonough

"They just couldn't understand what had happened to them in their short lives up until this point. But, with love, patience and stillness they started to come back to life. We became a family, the four of us," said McDonough.

"It was a really beautiful time to see them become the happy puppies they always deserved to be. It was a true testament that love changes everything, and all they needed was a chance."

Now the puppies are all living their best lives with the most loving of families.

From left: Ranger and Rory can be seen living their best lives with their new families. The puppies were found in the desert and almost euthanized, and then, at the last minute, were saved. From left: Ranger and Rory can be seen living their best lives with their new families. The puppies were found in the desert and almost euthanized, and then, at the last minute, were saved. @kelsmcdonough

"Nash stayed with me, and is now my forever soul dog!!!" McDonough added. "Of the three, he needed the most guidance and help in learning that the world can be a safe and beautiful place.

"Him and I were so soul-connected from the first day he came home. His two brothers, Ranger and Rory, have the most incredible new moms whom I love! We are all still so connected. We will all always be family."

The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 802,000 views and almost 60,000 likes on the platform.

One user, Jovin3321, commented: "Ty [thank you] for saving them—baby steps—you'll get there."

Joi Sinclair posted: "Those eyes, they want to trust but they are afraid."

User223451156 added: "A note for anyone who will adopt/foster. please give them time and lots of patience to adapt and for them to trust you. Please give them a chance for love."

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