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By Soo Kim
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A video capturing a dog's heartwarming response to moving into a home with a backyard after living in an apartment has gone viral on TikTok.
In the video posted by @kai_thedogmother, the dog can be seen sitting in the middle of the yard, completely still, gazing ahead as if taking in his new surroundings.
The overlay text on the clip reads: "I finally got my apartment dog a yard this year and he just sits out back and admires it like it's heaven."
Read More on Pets
For this particular pup, the move to a home with a backyard appears to have been life-changing. Instead of running or exploring, he simply sits and takes it all in—a quiet moment of gratitude that has touched millions.
A caption shared with the video, which has amassed 1.4 million views since it was shared on February 11, simply says: "We don't deserve dogs."
While many dog breeds can adapt to apartment living, an April 2022 study published in Frontiers in Public Health noted that "owning and caring for dogs can be challenging, especially for those residing in urban areas."
The study highlighted the importance of space and the built environment in influencing a dog's quality of life and their owner's well-being. It also found that dog ownership promotes physical and mental health, but factors like limited outdoor space in cities can hinder some of these benefits.
"Dog ownership and dog walking have been found to promote physical and mental health in several ways," the study stated. "The design of the surrounding built environment can facilitate or hinder the expected health benefits of owning a dog."
However, not all owners take full advantage of those benefits. According to research done in the U.S., 30 percent of dog owners were found to have not walked their dogs in the past week, the study noted.
While dog walking remains one of the primary sources of exercise for both dogs and their owners, limited access to green spaces can make it difficult for urban dog owners to maintain regular routines.
'So Grateful'
The viral clip resonated with thousands of pet owners, with many commenters celebrating the pup's peaceful moment of appreciation.
TikTok user @squishycroissant wrote: "He's like 'This all ours, Mama?'" The original poster replied: "I know. I can't stand it. He's so grateful."
Monica.T added: "He's like, 'We made it, Momma.'" Another commenter, Pup Wellness HQ, humorously noted: "He's like 'This is what it feels like to be rich.'"
The TikTok video has inspired many viewers to consider how their pets might benefit from more outdoor access.
User ara commented: "This makes me happy to see because I'm trying to move by the end of this year to give my dog the same feeling."
Jess summed it up best: "Congratulations! This is one of the best feelings as a dog mom."
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and email. This video has not been independently verified.
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