Woman Finds Puppy ‘Dumped’ Outside House—Knows Just What To Do

Lydia Patrick, a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter in London, specializes in emerging trends, human interest stories, and women’s issues. She has previously reported on the rise of knife crime against women in the UK and covered the darker aspects of medical tourism. Lydia joined Newsweek in 2024 after working at the Independent and South West News Service. She holds a journalism master’s degree from Sheffield University and a degree from the University of Bristol, with proficiency in English and Spanish. Contact her via email at l.patrick@newsweek.com.

Zaina Ateyea captured hearts online as she spent 10 hours helping a stray puppy that wandered into her garden. Despite her father’s warning not to bring the dog home, Ateyea’s efforts to calm and rescue the frightened puppy, later named Muffin, were documented in touching videos. The heartwarming journey gained significant attention online, with the original video garnering 2.5 million views and 227,400 likes.

Throughout the ordeal, Ateyea worked persistently with her neighbor to gain the puppy’s trust, even when the dog got frightened and ran away. Despite not being able to keep Muffin permanently due to a full household of pets, Ateyea is determined to find her a forever home. The heartwarming story resonated with viewers, drawing emotional responses and admiration for Ateyea’s dedication.

Shelter workers and viewers offered advice and support, commending Ateyea’s approach and expressing disbelief at anyone abandoning a pet. A fundraising effort for Muffin’s vet and rehoming costs has raised $4,910 so far. Newsweek attempted to contact Zaina Ateyea for further details via TikTok but was unable to verify the specifics of the case.

If you encounter a stray dog, organizations like Dogs Trust recommend checking for identification, taking the dog to a vet or shelter for a microchip scan, and ensuring its safety until authorities arrive. Share your funny and adorable pet videos or pictures with Newsweek at life@newsweek.com for a chance to be featured on the site.