Social media users are falling in love with Cairo, a senior shelter dog who found pure joy in a paddling pool during a much-needed break from shelter life. Cairo, a 9-year-old American Staffordshire terrier mix, has been living at Aurora Animal Care and Control in Illinois since May 22. The shelter environment has been stressful for him, but one volunteer decided to lift his spirits in a big way.
Video via @chaosinmycrocs29 on TikTok
Carissa Hartwig, a volunteer at the shelter, gave Cairo a special outing to enjoy some time in a kiddie pool. From the moment he spotted the water, Cairo didn’t hesitate—he dove right in. What followed was a heartwarming display of happiness as he lay down in the water, spun around, and joyfully splashed, even attempting playful “pool zoomies.”
Hartwig told Newsweek that she’s “never seen a dog love the pool so much.” While many dogs only sip from the pool during warm months, Cairo embraced it fully, making the most of every splash. “He’s a total fish,” she said. “It looks like he was trying to create a whirlpool.”
Video via @chaosinmycrocs29 on TikTok
Despite being older, Cairo’s energy hasn’t faded. Hartwig shared that while most dogs at the shelter ignore the pool, Cairo’s enthusiasm stood out. His excitement even led him to blow bubbles with his nose before going into full swim mode. The viral TikTok clip of his pool day, posted by Hartwig (@chaosinmycrocs29), has garnered over 1.1 million views and more than 234,500 likes.
Video via @chaosinmycrocs29 on TikTok
Described as having “big dog energy” in a small, stocky frame, Cairo has quickly become a fan favorite online. While the shelter doesn’t have full details on his background, they believe that with time and patience, Cairo could adjust well to a loving home. He might do well with kids, though his current stress levels make it hard to say how he would behave around other pets.
Video via @chaosinmycrocs29 on TikTok
Hartwig remains hopeful that Cairo’s newfound fame will help him find a forever family. The online community has been incredibly supportive, with many commenters wishing for Cairo to end up in a home with a big yard—or better yet, a full-sized pool.
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@chaosinmycrocs29 This was my first time taking out Cairo and I was NOT expecting this #pittie #adopt #animalrescue ♬ original sound – estwne
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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
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