Internet sobs as disabled puppy with deformed legs takes his “first steps”

Footage of a disabled shelter dog taking his first steps thanks to the wonders of modern veterinary medicine has got everyone online feeling emotional.

Cute puppy content remains as popular as ever on the internet today. For most, these images and videos provide a much-needed dose of the warm and fuzzies. What many might not realize, however, is the mood altering effect puppy content can have.

In 2012, a study published in PLoS One highlighted how looking at images of puppies can help increase productivity. As part of the experiment, three different groups of students were monitored while completing a series of tasks.

Each group attempted their task twice. The first time they did it without viewing any images and then after looking at a series of pictures that included either baby animals, adult animals or neutral subjects like foods.

Researchers found the group that looked at cute baby animals did significantly better at the task then those who had observed either adult animals or food. It’s a reminder of how cute puppy content can be inspiring.

A further reminder can be found in the story of Lily, the puppy born with two malformed front legs. In other circumstances Lily might have been facing a fraught future. Fortunately, she’s in the best possible place for a puppy like her.

Scoot to the Stars is a foster-based rescue dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and care of animals with special needs. The nonprofit’s website states: “It is our goal to show the world that pets with disabilities can live happy and fulfilling lives.”

It’s some one of the shelter’s most recent TikTok videos, posted under the handle scoottothestars, certainly demonstrates. It captures Lily’s “first steps,” having been fitted with special supports on her two front legs. You can watch it here.

In that moment, as Lily excitedly moves across the room, she’s a puppy transformed. No longer struggling to move herself around a kennel. Suddenly she is walking independently and the world, as she knows it, is opening up before her.

The emotional nature of what unfolds in the video was not lost on those watching on TikTok, where the video has already been watched over 118,000 times.

“Look at that tail go,” one said, with another writing: “Go Lily go. so happy to see that someone cared enough to help you. You are one special trooper..”

A third said: “She’s so cute….Thank you for caring and loving her,” with a fourth adding: “This is definitely the cutest thing I have seen today!”

Newsweek has reached out to Scoot to the Stars for comment.