A viral TikTok video capturing the incredible transformation of a previously shy golden retriever has garnered over 355,000 views.
The heartwarming clip, shared by Kobe Cheung (@kobehelena) from Manchester, England, chronicles the journey of Darcie from a shy, traumatized rescue dog to a lively and affectionate companion. Cheung, who adopted Darcie with her mother, Debbie, 57, in September last year, has shown the world the power of patience and love in turning a dog's life around.
The 26-year-old told Newsweek: "She's chatty and will ask for what she wants!"
Originally rescued from Romania, Darcie's early life was anything but easy. She spent most of her days outside, tethered to a piece of string, devoid of the comfort and security that every dog deserves.
Eventually, Darcie was put up for sale, and it was during this time that Kobe and Debbie discovered her. When Debbie went to pick up Darcie, she was heartbroken to see the conditions in which the dog had been living. Darcie had never experienced the warmth of a home, but that was all about to change.
Cheung previously shared a clip showing Darcie in her previous owner's backyard, where she had a mattress on the floor as a bed. Now, she lives in the countryside and shares a super king bed with Debbie.
Fast forward to August of this year, Cheung shared a video on TikTok that captured the remarkable transformation of 4-year-old Darcie. The clip quickly went viral, amassing more than 51,000 likes.
In the video, Darcie is seen laying on her bed while Cheung gently strokes her. The text overlaid on the clip reveals that, when Darcie first arrived, she was "too shy to even move" for the first two weeks. The video then transitions to recent footage, showing a completely different dog—one who is talkative, affectionate, and eagerly demands attention.
She is referred to as a "chatter box" in the caption. Cheung told Newsweek via email about the stark contrast in Darcie's behavior from the day they first brought her home.
"She wouldn't play, run, bark, eat or do anything when we first got her," Cheung said. "She would only eat from our hands. She was so shy, unsure, and scared, but we just gave her time, lots of love, kept her safe, and tried not to overwhelm her too much."
The journey hasn't been without its challenges. Darcie was initially frightened by loud noises and required time to adjust to her new surroundings. However, with patience and care, her confidence has grown significantly. Today, Darcie's personality shines through as a "stubborn and sassy" dog, as described by her devoted owners.
Cheung said: "She is so clever considering she had to learn English, too, but her recall needs work as she'll never listen to us over chasing a squirrel. She is the floppiest, cuddliest girl with the softest fur, and she is so trusting."
For the Cheung family, Darcie has become an irreplaceable member of their household. "We just love her so much, and she has us all wrapped around her little paws!" she said. "We honestly didn't think we could love a rescue as much as loving a dog from a puppy, but it's opened our eyes that you can love them just as much."
Reflecting on Darcie's past, Cheung expressed a bittersweet sentiment. "We are sad she had a few traumatic years prior, but we are now making sure we give her the best life ever!"
Instagram Reacts
So far, the video shared on August 6 has almost 400 comments.
"She has feelings! And she needs you to know them ALL!!" wrote one user, and another added, "She finally feels safe enough after being silenced for so long, bless her."
A third commenter wrote: "Aww I love it when animals get the life finally they deserve. Thank you for giving her a safe home."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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