Dog Scared of Being Abandoned Again Crawls to Foster Parent After Surgery

A dog once on the verge of euthanasia melted hearts online after a video captured him crawling toward his foster mom moments after waking from surgery, seemingly afraid he was about to be abandoned again.

Rivington, a 6-year-old rescue dog known as Rivi, needed emergency dental surgery after he broke a front tooth, severely fracturing it and leaving the root exposed, his foster mom, Clare, told Newsweek via email. While he hid his discomfort well, Clare could tell he was in pain and needed help. With a GoFundMe set up by her friend Molli (@mollismutts on TikTok), she was able to get Rivi the emergency procedure.

When Rivi woke up from surgery, Clare showered him with love, belly rubs and head scratches. As she prepared to step outside and move her car closer, Rivi groggily attempted to move across the floor. Struggling to walk, but refusing to stay put, he mustered the strength to crawl toward Clare to avoid being left behind, which Clare shared to her TikTok account @beansfosterbuddies on June 10.

“Seeing him panic like that broke my heart,” she said. “Despite everything he’d been through that day, his biggest concern was making sure I wasn’t going to leave him behind.”

Past Fears Reemerge

Rivington’s reaction carried extra weight because of his past. In 2021, when he was about 1 year old, his previous owner surrendered him to an animal shelter and requested that he be euthanized because she could no longer care for him. Instead, he entered the rescue system, spending time in a shelter and moving through several foster homes over the years.

Clare said seeing Rivi panic in that moment was a “painful reminder” of what he had been through. It also showed her just how much their relationship has changed since they met.

“At first, he wanted absolutely nothing to do with me,” she said. “He was terrified of new people and carried the weight of years of uncertainty on his shoulders. It was clear that trusting humans didn’t come easily for him.”

Rather than forcing interactions, Clare gave him space and allowed him to approach her on his own terms. When she brought Rivi in as a foster dog, Clare said, her resident canines helped him adjust and learn that she was someone he could rely on.

Today, she describes becoming a source of safety for him as one of the greatest privileges of her life.

“Watching Rivington learn to trust again has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” she said. “Although progress has felt slow at times, I am hopeful that I’ve set him up with enough of a foundation to transition to his forever home.”

Fortunately, Rivington’s fears were short-lived.

Once he was settled in the car, Clare had a brand-new Lamb Chop toy waiting for him. He spent the ride home with his nose resting on her leg, and the pair even stopped for a pup cup on the way home. By the following week, she said, Rivington had returned to feeling like himself and playing with his toys.

Rescue Dog Still Searching for Forever Home

Now, Clare hopes the attention from the video might help him find a forever home.

Clare said Rivington has had potential adopters before, but his reserved nature often causes people to overlook him before they get the chance to see the affectionate, loyal dog beneath his cautious exterior.

Rivington is currently being fostered in the New York City area and is available for adoption through Waldo’s Rescue Plan. Clare said he would thrive in a calm, quiet environment with patient adopters willing to move at his pace. He loves other dogs, gets along well with cats and would do best in an adult-only home where he can continue to build his confidence.

“If someone is willing to be patient, Rivington is incredibly special,” Clare said. “Once he lets his guard down, he is affectionate and loving. He cuddles in bed with me, he loves head scratches and will do anything for his person.”

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This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 5:36 PM.