The petrified rescue left people in tears upon watching him react to praise from a man who shelters stray and abandoned dogs
A heart-wrenching video of a terrified dog hearing “good boy” for the first time has left viewers in floods of tears.
Rocky Kanaka, a content creator who provides refuge to stray and abandoned dogs at his centre in California, USA, uploaded the touching footage of a timid German Shepherd online. In the clip, Rocky gently tries to reassure the dog.
He says: “Let’s see if he knows some common words that most dogs would know.” He then tests whether the dog has ever been praised before.
“We’ll see if he’s ever even heard it before. He may have never even heard this before.”
When Rocky tells the dog, “You’re a good boy,” there is no response from the petrified pooch, indicating he’s unfamiliar with the phrase. Rocky explains: “It seems hard to believe if you’re a dog lover that if you had a dog you wouldn’t tell them they’re a good dog, but you can just tell with the no reaction to any of that that he doesn’t understand what it is.”
“But what’s amazing is when your intentions are wholesome and you’re willing to be open and vulnerable, […] you can tie it in to very quickly show him what it means.” Rocky then repeated, “You’re a good boy,” to the dog – but this time, he gave him a treat as he said it.
The dog happily munched on the snack, and Rocky told him again that he’s a “good boy.” This time, the dog perked up his ears and turned to look at Rocky, reports the Express.
As the dog rescuer continued to reassure the German Shepherd with gentle strokes and affirming words, the once-stray dog tuned in attentively. After showing the stray dog some toys and heaps of love, the pup’s smile began to show, adopting what Rocky dubbed a “confident, comfortable German Shepherd stance.”
‘He deserves all the love’
Their touching moment quickly went viral, with the Facebook video racking up a stunning 6.8million views, receiving over 130,000 likes and attracting more than 4,400 heartfelt comments. Emotional fans have been pouring their hearts out in the comments section.
One user shared, “I teared right up when you called him a good boy to see if he’s heard it before and there was no reaction. Poor pop, he deserved to hear he’s a good boy before, now and always.”
Another chimed in with praises, stating, “He’s such a good boy. Thank you for letting him know he can trust some people.
“I pray he finds a patient, loving, forever home.” One other comment that stood out read, “His lack of reaction to ‘good boy’ made me tear up. That poor baby deserves all the love! “.
Many more touched viewers wrote about their reactions. One added: “Crying over this one. My heart is breaking looking at him,”
Another confessed: “a lot of your videos make tears well up in my eyes but this one full on has me crying.” Others noted the incredible transformation in the German Shepherd after a short period spent with Rocky.
Other commenters said: “He changed from 0 to 100 in an hour with you” and “boy he sure changes with you there, just looks happier!”