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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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The exact moment a senior poodle felt safe in her new home has gone viral on Instagram.
The clip was shared to an Instagram page called @adoptolddogs run by a couple, Adrian Lott and Spencer Erickson from Seattle, Washington. It shows the poodle, Emma, shaking profusely while sitting on Adrian's lap, who then starts to stroke her. Emma immediately calms down.
Lott, a 32-year-old therapist, told Newsweek: "Emma seemed a little skeptical at first, but what was most clear is that she needed medical support. She was barely able to stand or walk; we didn't know how long we would have with her.
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"We suspect she had suffered some pretty serious neglect prior to being taken to the shelter. Her spine was quite curved, and she was incredibly shaky on her back legs. But she developed a connection to me pretty quickly. As she healed and settled into our home, she started following me room to room, and really enjoyed cuddling on my lap."
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Emma arrived at the shelter at the beginning of February 2022; as can be seen, she was in a terrible situation. She already looks much better in the video that went viral in December 2023; it was actually shot at the end of February 2022.
The on-screen text explains: "Emma was 14 when we adopted her. She was so overwhelmed at first. I can't imagine being a tiny geriatric dog and finding yourself in a shelter, [and] then a couple of foster homes. But I think in this moment, she chose me as her forever human."
Often when people are thinking about getting a dog, they are swayed towards a puppy. Lott hopes to encourage people to give senior pups a second chance by explaining why they make a great addition to the family.
"Most people who answer this question say that more people should adopt seniors because no senior dog belongs in a shelter—they deserve to have comfortable and happy golden years. This is absolutely correct, and I totally agree.
"But I also think there are reasons to adopt old dogs that have nothing to do with being selfless. I love old dogs, because they tend to be a little lower energy, need less exercise, and you can focus less on training.
"A lot of seniors just want a warm, cozy, happy home to hang out in until it's their time. Senior or older dogs are great dogs for newer pet parents, because they are more or less settled in their personality. The cherry on top is that you're helping a dog who really needs it."
At the time of writing, the video has amassed 1.4 million views and 107,000 likes. An excerpt from the caption states: "I can't believe I got this moment on camera."
The video has captivated the hearts of the internet and received plenty of comments too.
One user said: "Being a traumatized dog's safe person is an incredible honor."
"You gave this poor unwanted pup a gift from God! You are an earth angel! Bless you for your loving care and kindness. You inspire me, and prove there's hope for humanity," praised another person.
A third commenter said: "A magical moment. My pup is 14 and a geriatric rescue, there is nothing like it. Knowing he feels safe and loved with me is the best feeling."
While the video was shared at the end of December, it is old footage as February 18 marked Emma's second anniversary with the couple.
When she was living in the shelter, Emma weighed three pounds, which is worryingly low. The American Kennel Club states that miniature poodles usually weigh between 10 to 15 pounds.
The couple recently uploaded a series of photos of the 16-year-old dog to mark two years in their care.
An excerpt from the caption says: "We brought Emma home after seeing the awful shape she was in - to be frank, I think we both assumed we'd maybe give her a good couple weeks, maybe a few months. She was in rough shape.
"Knowing that she's at two years, with no signs of being done yet... I'm so, so grateful. Our joke is that she's never going to die."
Many people who are considering getting a dog may find themselves gravitating to puppies. Emma appears to be living proof that even though older dogs are frail, you can still form a close bond with them, because they still have a lot of life left in them.
Update 2/28/23 03:45 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the OP, Adrian, and original content.
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