Tears as stray senior dog turns up at gen z house share—And stays

A stray pit bull turned up at a house shared by five young women in Australia, and now he’s living the dream as their new housemate.

The unexpected guest—a dirty, thin, but undeniably lovable pooch—showed up at the house of Kayla Sargeant (@kaylamaysargeant), 24, along with her roommates Jessica Rix, Amity Corkill, Hannah Popilchak and Kate Chard, just a few months ago. Their story has captured the hearts of the internet, capturing 675,800 likes and 3.3 million views.

“We first came across him a few months ago, actually,” Sargeant told Newsweek. “He showed up at our house randomly. I had the door open and was in the kitchen, and when I came out, he was in the house. It was such a shock.”

With no collar or ID and looking worse for wear, the women shared his picture on a local lost and found page, which quickly garnered hundreds of shares. But no one recognized him, and his origin remained a mystery.

“He was super friendly and just wanted all the pets he could get!” Sargeant said. “We had let him out into our yard, and within minutes he disappeared. We assumed he must’ve been a neighbor’s dog, but before we knew it, he came back.”

The now-viral video shares a montage of tender moments with their 12-year-old furry friend. Known affectionately as House Hippo, he’s shown basking in the endless affection, belly rubs, and treats from his new roommates. “I think he chose us,” Sargeant captioned the video.

As House Hippo became more comfortable, the women took him to the vet, where they discovered he had a microchip. However, due to personal circumstances, his owner could no longer care for him. So, the roommates offered to take him in temporarily until his original owner could welcome him back.

“His condition when we first found him wasn’t ideal. He was limping, very dirty, and looked a tad malnourished. Being that two of us in the household worked in veterinary medicine, we were quick to want to care for him,” Sargeant said.

The roommates describe him as the ultimate cuddle bug, happily leaning against anyone nearby, whining softly for pets. “Just the other day, we gave him his first bath (shower), which was a team effort for sure,” she said.

When you encounter a stray dog, there are a few essential steps to ensure the animal’s safety and reunite it with its owner, according to American Humane.

1. Check for Identification: Look for any visible ID tags on the collar. If the dog has a collar with a tag, you may find the owner’s contact information or the phone number of a local vet or shelter.
2. Secure the Animal: Approach the dog calmly, using a soothing voice. If it seems friendly, try to coax it with treats or food to keep it secure until you can determine your next steps.
3. Contact Local Authorities: If there’s no ID or microchip, contact local animal control or shelters. Many owners will check these places first when looking for a lost pet. You can also contact non-emergency police for assistance in capturing and securing the dog safely.
4. Take Photos and Spread the Word: Snap a few clear photos of the dog and share them on social media, community boards, or lost-and-found pet websites. Describe the dog’s physical traits and where they were found. Many neighborhoods have social media groups dedicated to reuniting lost pets with their owners.
5. Visit a Veterinarian: If possible, take the dog to a local vet to check for a microchip. Most veterinary clinics can scan for microchips for free, which may lead you directly to the owner.
6. Keep the Pet Safe: If you can temporarily care for the dog, make sure it’s safe and comfortable. However, let animal control or a local shelter know that you’re holding the pet so the owner has a central place to look for updates.

TikTok users have been captivated by House Hippo’s transformation and story. Comments poured in, celebrating his transition from squalor to safety.

“This video made me cry. I do think he chose you guys,” said one TikTok user.

“An old man staffy and his girls are a match made in heaven,” said another.

“He probably thinks he died and ended up in a home full of angels. Just pretty girls loving him all the time,” a commenter wrote.

“I bet he feels like he won the lottery,” said a TikToker.

For now, House Hippo is thriving in his new environment.

“He’s doing great now. He’s clean, loved, happy, and well-fed! We will be taking care of him as long as needed,” Sargeant said. “Of course, he isn’t technically ours to own, but in the meantime, we’re here to provide the proper care while his owner handles personal matters. We’ve kept in touch with them, and they’re very appreciative.”

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@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.

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