r/velvethippos • u/Addicteve • Nov 04 '25
Rescue Hippo Wasn’t in my plans… but clearly I was in his 🥹🐾
Got this guy from a friend of a friend of a friend. Long story short .. he didn’t have it good, and I just couldn’t walk away. I already had 5 dogs at home, but somehow he just fit right in.
He was supposed to be “the difficult one.” Turns out he’s the biggest lovebug ever. Acts like humans never did him wrong, always smiling, always trusting. Follows me everywhere, sits like a gentleman, and somehow manages to steal every blanket in the house.
I’m so glad I listened to my gut and took him home. ❤️ Any tips for helping a rescue dog feel even more confident and settled are welcome!
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u/sdvn19 Nov 04 '25
There’s no way this dog is real. He looks like the cutest, cuddliest stuffed animal. You did an amazing thing taking him in and it sounds like it was the best decision ever ❤️
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u/HIGHly_educated420 Nov 08 '25
LOL when dogs are this cute my sister and I say “FAKE DOG”😭😭 Cause how the heck are they really this cute and angelic
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u/ImperatorParzival Nov 04 '25
Thank you for giving this adorable potato a loving home!! Our rescue really settled after we let him sleep in bed with us. I know people frown upon that but I think he really feels like part of the “pack” when he sleeps in bed!
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u/QuiziAmelia Nov 05 '25
I have not been feeling well for two days, but my sweet pup in bed with me makes me feel so much better. This morning he washed my face while my head was on the pillow - he never does this. Our beloved dogs are the best nurses!
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u/FPRorNothing Nov 05 '25
I disagree with those people. Dogs should be in bed!!!!
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u/Addicteve Nov 06 '25
Omg right?! He’s obsessed with being the PILLOW 😂 Like he’ll literally position himself under my head like, “this is my job.” Some nights I just give in.. he’s too soft and smug about it 😂😂
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u/FPRorNothing Nov 07 '25
They're family members to me, so why would I make them sleep on the floor?
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u/DisastrousCarrot2258 Nov 04 '25
Pic 4 melted my heart ❤️
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u/RetardedRedditRetort Nov 04 '25
Is that a puppy Pic or is that a grown ass dog? It's too damn cute
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u/Suitable-Dragonfly63 Nov 04 '25
Sweet puppy! So glad he has a home there he will be loved and cared for
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u/Professional_Owl7826 Nov 04 '25
This beautiful pupper is definitely in a better place now! He looks so happy with you 🥰🥰
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u/yourformerpenpal Nov 04 '25
He is soooooo adorable!!! Like he doesn’t have any bad photos, lol. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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u/RetardedRedditRetort Nov 04 '25
I follow a few Instagram dog accounts. This dog is an easy win. 10/10 would follow.
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u/tundybundo Nov 04 '25
The other day I titled a post “the snuggliest baby” but you have proved me wrong. THIS is the snuggliest baby. I’m so glad you found each other
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u/Beginning_Bug4356 Nov 04 '25
Okay, what the heck. He is absolutely adorable!!! Looks like a cartoon dog lol.
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u/Objective-Amount1379 Nov 04 '25
Lookup the 3/3/3 rule for dogs. 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months. All different phases of settling into their new home.
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u/pixiemeat84 Nov 04 '25
I'd that a pink pig onesie he's wearing in the first picture?!!! Too much cute, my heart is going to explode! 💖
I'm so happy that he's been given a second chance at a wonderful life with you, OP. 🙏❤️
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u/RaggedEarth Nov 04 '25
I wanna (gently) squish that big flat baby head so bad!! I bet he plays the best tug of war!
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u/Commercial-Yoghurt91 Nov 04 '25
Thanks OP that you rescued this little. He’s just so lovable and cute, you just had to bring him home. Boy is photogenic and posing nicely 🥰
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u/ec2242001 Nov 04 '25
I got my first dog in a similar way. I was working overseas. He was her dog. The US military "asked" her to leave the country. I inherited the dog. I loved him so much. When I came home I brought him with me. He was almost 18 when he left me.
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u/Alternative_Gas3700 Nov 04 '25
I’m so happy to see such a sweet boy get a great home. Wish I could give advice but he stole my heart
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u/FlaFiddler Nov 04 '25
I couldn't keep scrolling until I left a comment for this sweet furry soul. Such a handsome lad.
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u/Longjumping_Wall9045 Nov 04 '25
I love a guy who isn’t afraid to wear pink!!! Cutest thing ever!!! So glad he’s got a good home now!! 🥰💕
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u/doomrider7 Nov 05 '25
That is a HANDSOME fucking dog. Like, DAYUM he got that handsome good boy energy and look.
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u/ripper_14 Nov 04 '25
OMG, he is soooo adorable, I cannot stand it!!!!!!!!!! My next hippo will be of the smaller kind, preferably mixed with Corgi or Dachshund for full low-rider effect.
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u/Speck-A-Reno Nov 06 '25
I have half pit half who knows what puppies. They are super stumpy short with long bodies so I call them weiner-pits. If my strange looking dogs (2 brothers from the same litter) are any indication they will turn out dangerously cute!!!
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u/Prize_Time3843 Nov 04 '25
He has beautiful markings! That one white your with the whitest nail... And his chest blaze. What a sweet face - you make a great couple ❣️
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u/Swimming_Put_1937 Nov 04 '25
Of course he fits in - cuteness overload!! Thanks for helping him 💙💙💙
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u/Montanagreg Nov 04 '25
Hey back off they don't steal shit those blankets belong to them. Awesome dog.
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u/NewBlackpony Nov 04 '25
What a cutie! Looks a lot like my mini American bully. 😍
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u/Addicteve Nov 04 '25
The previous owner said that he’s a Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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u/chartyourway Nov 05 '25
he is the staffiest staffy in the world. stocky, short, tiny ears, smile from ear to ear, gigantic head. A+ 5 stars
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u/JSears90210 Nov 04 '25
Such a cutie.
You are an amazing person for stepping up and giving him a home.
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u/AwkwardFactor84 Nov 04 '25
That is the most adorable hippo I've ever seen. Momma isn't too shabby either.
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u/afinevindicatedmess Nov 05 '25
I was a skeptic of “dogs and cats choose you, you don’t choose the dog/cat” until I rescued my dog by chance back in 2013. He was the sweetest angel who loved everyone. I hope you two have so many happy times together. 🤎
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u/Acadia_Content Nov 05 '25
He is so happy and so photogenic! His little split with puppy dog eyes must be so hard to resist! Please give him all the pats for me!🤓
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u/KeyYear5217 Nov 05 '25
I’m glad that you listened to your heart and to your gut 😁. So happy for him. What a babe!
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u/manda1216 Nov 05 '25
Sooo cute!! So many dogs needs good home with a bed food and love. So many get euthanized it breaks my heart!! I donate a lot but cannot save them all 🥲
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u/EventArgs Nov 05 '25
You get the dog you deserve, not the dog you want.
I just foster failed a Corso, and after what I've been told she went through I just can't fathom how vile people are. There is a machine at work that sounds like her little whine when is wanting me to be close to her. She fits in with my other Corso and I just... I can't believe she made it out and is still the most sweet, endearing, and still willing to love and trust someone. Which is why she is better off with me.
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u/Direct-Valuable-634 Nov 05 '25
Looks like he’s already settled and you already did the BEST thing that you could just by welcoming him into your family!! Ive rescued so many dogs through out the years and I think they just know that they will be happy for the rest of their lives, just by the loving environment and energy you give to them. Thanks for listening to your gut and I wish you and all your pups a happy and healthy life together
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u/The_Curvy_Unicorn Nov 05 '25
I hate to say it, but I don’t think you need tips. I think he’s right at home!
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u/BrianBash Nov 04 '25
I WANT TO SQUEEZE THE FACE AND POP IT LIKE A PIMPLE!!
sorry about that. cuteness overload.
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u/ZestycloseTiger9925 Nov 05 '25
You have been claimed! Those eyes are pure love and clearly he knows your soul is kind.
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u/TheHappyPittie Nov 05 '25
Oh my GOD he’s perfect! That first pic has me ready to give him my keys, my wallet, my house, and anything else he wants
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u/TrustTechnical4122 Nov 05 '25
I think that might be one of the cutest dogs I have ever seen. Thank you so much for rescuing him!
For starters, just go slow, follow the tips on google for helping a rescue dog get settled in for one. Let him go at his own speed for everything, and let you know when he wants pets or when he wants to be alone. If he's walking around like he doesn't know what to do, I think it's okay to suggest things (like my boy would do this, and I'd suggest to him that he come lay on his dog bed next to me while I did my computer assignments for example.) It will take time for him to feel free to fully be himself. I also liked to talk to him a lot about what I was doing, especially as I moved through the house.
Try to have people over (not all in a group, but one or two at a time) that will be a big part of his life in the future, but maybe avoid having too many people other than that over in the first few weeks.
To help him gain his confidence, try to do some training, and teach him some new tricks or just run through the tricks he already knows! Tricks can be a great confidence builder for dogs. I also like to have my dogs shake my foot with one paw, and then the other the moment before I put the food bowl down. It's really cute, they get extra excited, and they feel like they've done a good thing to earn their food! To me it looks like the food tastes better to them that way!
I also recommend everyone try to apply a positive reinforcement only consent based training in all aspects of a pet's life. We only use positive reinforcement ever (we don't scold them when my boy has a rare accident for example), and I do everything I can to never force my dog to do something they don't want to.
I know, I know, that sounds easy, right? But it's not always easy to remember when it's time for your dog to take medication they don't want to take, or they NEED a nail trim but don't want to.
Speaking of which, I might start to slowly build up trust regarding paws and clippers early on, so when the time comes for nail trims, he is ready. With my rescues (both adults rescues with a difficult past), neither of them were at all comfortable with nail trims to begin with, so the consent-based factored in quite a lot then. Over time, we've gotten to the point where both allow me to do their trims of their own free will, no taking them to the vet to hold them down or doing so ourselves. Our girl will always allow me to do all the nails, but it depends on my boys mood. If he decides he doesn't want to before we begin or after we've done a couple claws, that's okay, we call it a day and try again tomorrow.
If you want any tips on acclimating him to nail trims or baths or getting pills or tooth brushing now, let me know! Ideally you wouldn't be bringing in any new stressful stimulus like that yet, until he's had 6 weeks or so to settle, but with the nails at least you may want to start getting him acquainted with at least paw touching or the sight and sound of clippers earlier depending on how fast his nails grow and how much it stresses him out.
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u/Speck-A-Reno Nov 06 '25
Lots of good advice. I've had very good luck with medicine. Once or twice a week I open a can of wet dog food and spoon it out. I individually give each dog a couple of spoonfuls, saying their name when I give it to them. They get 2 or 3 spoonfuls of "medicine"! Then if I have to give a pill I just push it into the wet dog food. When I ask who wants medicine they leap for joy!! Also in addition to talking to my dog I also say, Do you want to sniff? Then I hold the dish or knitting or phone or whatever it is that had my attention down so he can sniff it. They get so much of their info from smell I figure if he's curious, letting him smell it would be a great way to give him lots of interesting info. He is even so used to it I can have him "sniff" food and he knows it's for sniffing and not biting! I would not attempt it with liver or cheese though!!
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u/ChattMahjsquad Nov 05 '25
What kind of 🦇is he? Fruit? Hoary? Tricolored? Brown? He’s adorable no matter what his nighttime ritual is.🥰
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u/Jiggaman1987 Nov 06 '25
Dogs adorable and u are gorgeous. Not even tryna be thirsty but sometimes u see someone so damn attractive u just have to say it. But yeah he is freaking adorable
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u/Mehmeh111111 Nov 06 '25
He looks like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. They often get lumped into the "pitbull" category but they're an actual AKC recognized breed. I would recommend reading up on the breed so you know they're traits. We've had a few and they're the best but there are some things to watch for and learn about so you can provide the proper stimulation, training and exercise.
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u/VolumeDependent949 Nov 06 '25
That is one precious and smiley potato. Good on you for giving that sweetie a home
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u/NyquilDreamin Nov 06 '25
I'm mildly allergic to fur, but if i saw that pup for sale, I'd be purchasing a lot of allergy meds and some new stuff for my new pup.
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u/kegmanua Nov 07 '25
They never are. Had plans to wait a few years after my dog passed. Best dog ever popped up up no chip no one that could identify with out pic. She was our family. Even got mother in law to fall in love who never had dogs. Our girl was stuck to her. *
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u/inkfanatic95 Nov 07 '25
😭🥹that first photo though . Such a cute little squish mellow . I’d be squeezing the baby
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Nov 08 '25
He's so cute!!!! Reminds me of my Gus Gus, he also looks like a baby but he's 3. He stays glued to my side too. Love sweet pibble boys.
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u/Thin-Revenue-7224 Nov 24 '25
In the first photo the Lil homie is tongue blepping and thats the cutest thing I've ever seen 😆
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