Rescue Dog Who Loves Playing With Water Wins Pet of the Week

From the adorable moment a puppy “picked” his owner to the heartbreaking reason a pug was hiding in a closet, we love viral pet videos, but we also love seeing our readers’ pets.

Every week, as part of the Newsweek Pet of the Week, we share a selection of readers’ adorable videos and pictures of their pets.

If you want your pet to be featured, follow the instructions at the end of this story to get involved.

Winner

This week’s Pet of the Week winner is Rebel, a rescue dog who loves to play. In a heartwarming video, he was caught on camera playing with water—just one part of his new happy life.

But things weren’t always that way for Rebel, as his early life was marked by neglect. Abandoned at a trailer and confined to a kennel, he was forgotten.

“There was no power or water so they kept a blanket over the kennel,” owner Leiha Boyer told Newsweek.

When she first met him, he had been under that blanket, “I guess since yesterday,” she was told. Rebel’s sad, soulful eyes silently pleaded, “please help me,” and Boyer did just that.

“From the moment I opened that kennel door, he has never had to be in one again,” Boyer said.

Now, Rebel is a cherished companion who is always with his owner and is “absolutely ROTTEN from how much I have spoiled him…but in a good way,” she said.

Though he’s a big dog who may appear intimidating, Boyer insists “he just wants to be loved on…and to sing Chris Stapleton’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey,’ and play in a water hose.”

Finalists

Our first finalist this week is an English cream golden retriever named Casper.

The English cream is a variation of the standard and much-loved golden retriever, characterized by a coat that ranges in color from light cream to almost white.

But Casper doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo about his light coat and spends much of his time covered in mud.

“I’ve never had a dog so in love with mud and dirt,” joked owner David Wilmoth.

Next up this week is Bitty Boo Boo, a 10-year-old cat with a diva personality.

“Since I first adopted her she has allowed me to dress her up,” owner Phoebe Donald told Newsweek.

Bitty loves lounging in the warmest spots, especially “directly in front of or on a heater vent.” Though she’s not fond of other cats, she greets humans with a friendly “bunt” on the leg. Surprisingly, she also enjoys car rides and even looks forward to vet visits.

“She is one awesome cat,” Donald said.

Last but not least is Loki, an expressive cat whose owner, David Hokey, said: “has to be the happiest cat I’ve ever met.”

Abandoned as a kitten on a second-floor balcony, Loki was rescued by friends and brought to Hokey, who had lost his cat a year and a half earlier.

Since then, Loki has become “one of the most amazing cats I’ve owned,” Hokey said, describing him as intelligent, talkative, and considerate, especially to his other cat.

“You can easily tell what’s on his mind because of his facial expressions,” Hokey said. “Love this little guy.”

If you think your pet could be next week’s Newsweek “Pet of the Week,” send us your funny and heartwarming videos and pictures of your pet, along with a bit about them to life@newsweek.com, and they could appear in our “Pet of the Week” lineup.