Thunderstorms can rattle even the toughest dogs, and poor Cactus is still figuring out how to handle them. In this Instagram video, the rescue pup curls up tight in his donut bed, clearly unsure of the booming noises outside. But the second his human steps in, you can see the difference. Cactus slowly goes from being scared to being calmed down with kind words, forehead rubs, and a few favorite toys. It’s an easy, everyday thing that shows how much a dog loves the person who makes him feel safe.
Instagram video shows the owner comforting rescue puppy as he gets used to storms and thunder
At the start of the video, Cactus is curled up tight on his donut bed, clearly scared by the thunder. His human enters and softly says, “It’s just thunder.” When he sees him, the rescue dog wags his tail, but his body remains stiff. When his human kneels beside him and adds a soft, “I know, it’s ok,” Cactus reaches out with one paw, resting it on his arm as a thank you for his presence.
A few forehead pats later, his human brings over some of Cactus’ favorite plush toys. “Is that better?” he asks, and the shift is obvious. The canine slowly starts to relax, still unsure of the thunder, but basking in his human’s attention. By the end of the clip, he’s receiving soothing forehead rubs, no longer trembling — just reassured by the presence of someone he trusts.
Rescue dogs often have past experiences that can make them more scared of loud noises or new places. You can see this very clearly in Cactus‘ need for comfort. He knows that when he is scared, his human will make him feel better.
The post has struck a chord with viewers, racking up more than 268K likes. Comments poured in with love and empathy: “Wish more humans were like you,” one wrote, while another added, “You and Cactus were meant for each other.”
