Adopting a cat or dog from the shelter or a rescue comes with a lot of emotional moments—especially when they’ve never experienced the most basic things like love or trust. Watching the way they explore and take in every new sight, scent, and sound is like being reborn, seeing the world through their eyes.

Until a week ago, Skippy was like all those sad shelter dogs. Thankfully, he’s now in a foster home where he’s learning what it means to be cared for. Even something like a warm couch is brand new, and it’s the sweetest sight to witness.

The sweet boy isn’t all that old, but even in his short time on this earth, so many things are unknown. All he knows right now is that he’s out of the shelter and has the chance to live like other dogs. Step one: Find the coziest spot on the couch and claim it as his.

Watch how darling Skippy finds joy in the simplest of places.

First of all, everyone who takes in a shelter dog is a hero in my eyes, and Skippy looks like he’s settling in perfectly. Though he’s still young, being in the shelter environment at all may have been stressful. Now that he’s in a loving home where he can feel a warm couch to curl up on, it’s only up from here.

Related: Shelter Dog Experiencing a Christmas Tree for the First Time Brings All the Feels

Having adopted from the shelter many times, I know firsthand how precious these moments are, so I’m happy @blairsbuddies is capturing everything Skippy’s enjoying. Along with resident dog, Blair—who’s teaching how great life can be—this little pup will be looking for his forever home soon.

For now, he’s really loving the foster life.

Fostering Saves Lives, Too

Not everyone has the means, time, or ability to rescue one of the millions of shelter pets in need of homes, but fostering is a great substitute. As The Humane Society of Greater Dayton explains, fostering pets in a stable home where they can work on their social skills will help them become more adoptable for the right forever family.

Providing connection, care, stability, and love also teaches them how to open up and trust—things not all pets know how to do.

I’ll be following Skippy’s journey to see all this boy’s firsts. And hopefully soon, that first and last family to go home with.

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.