Rescue Dog Spotted Sleeping 'Like the World Is Perfect' at Foster's Home

A young stray from the dog pound has instantly adapted to a life of comfort thanks to a rescuer who tells Newsweek the story behind her video of his "perfect sleeps" at her home.

Kelpie Jack Russell cross Sooty is just 10 months old but has already been through a lot of pain. Now, after being picked up by foster carer Ellie Carey, 28, he's instantly settled into life in a loving environment, as a viral TikTok from his new carer proves.

One commenter was moved to say: "He's sleeping like the world is perfect."

It can take rescue dogs months to adapt. But Carey told Newsweek: "Sooty settled right in on the first night we picked him up, I think he was just so happy to be out of the pound and in a house."

He's instantly adjusted to life as a loved pet, with Carey saying he "loves pats and will paw at you for more pats and belly scratches."

"He likes to think of himself as a lap dog and will lay himself on top of you. His favorite place to relax is in the crease of the couch," she said.

Carey works for DM Rescue in New South Wales, Australia, and happily took Sooty into her home as he awaits adoption.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) warns that "it can take days, months or longer for you and your pet to adjust to each other and for your dog to acclimate to your home, especially if your new pet has lived in multiple homes or shelters in the past."

It urges foster parents to "be patient" while the dog adjusts to the "new normal" and builds a "trusting bond with you."

But in Sooty's case, it took no time at all for him to feel safe and totally relaxed.

A TikTok video has been viewed close to 200,000 times since being uploaded to the @DM.rescue page on April 19.

Text over the video asks: "Do you think my foster dog is happy to be saved from the pound?"

The camera then pans to Sooty, fast asleep and lying flat on his back with his mouth hanging open, cuddled up next to one of his rescuers, with not a care in the world.

Sooty is now ready to go to his forever home and is available for adoption, but sadly the rescue hasn't had any suitable applications for him yet as he "requires a home with another dog due to his separation anxiety when left alone."

The 10-month-old pup has proved massively popular among TikTok users, with hundreds flocking to the comments to thank Carey for rescuing him.

One wrote that it was "probably the best and safest sleep the beautiful pup has had in a very long time."

"That's one safe, and happy dog!" another wrote, and one pointed out: "I was told dogs who sleep on their backs are totally content and trust their surroundings."

Carey said she was shocked by the reaction to Sooty's video, telling Newsweek: "I've only just started playing around with TikTok videos for the rescue so I wasn't expecting it to spread so far!"

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.