Rescue Puppy Wins ‘Dog of the Week’ at Daycare and Owner Couldn’t Be Prouder

Aspen’s Special Moment: From Rescue Pup to Daycare Star

Katie Tang, 27, from Queens, New York, experienced a heartwarming surprise when her 6-month-old rescue puppy, Aspen, was named “Dog of the Week” at his doggy daycare. What began as an ordinary pick-up quickly became a memorable moment. A staff member pulled Tang aside, and for a split second, she feared something might be wrong. Instead, she was overjoyed to hear that Aspen had earned the honor.

Aspen, a poodle, Maltese, and Shih Tzu mix, stood out for his impressive skills in a paw-shaking competition, delivering the quickest and cleanest paw of all. The staff praised him not only for his talent but also for his affectionate, attentive, and well-mannered nature. For Tang, it was a deeply touching moment: “Aspen is my special boy, but for someone else to recognize how special he is was an incredible feeling.”

This was Aspen’s very first award, and Tang made sure to capture the moment. She took a photo of him posing proudly beside his “Dog of the Week” poster and shared it on his TikTok account, @aspenfluffernut. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 395,000 views and more than 116,000 likes. The caption playfully read, “Is this what being a parent feels like?”—a sentiment many pet owners could relate to.

To celebrate his achievement, Tang prepared a special dinner for Aspen, featuring chicken bone broth, salmon skin, and his favorite dessert—watermelon. Adopted from Bobbi and the Strays Rescue at just eight weeks old, Aspen has flourished in his loving home. He has already mastered 15 tricks and is working on more, including “sit pretty” and “stretch,” a testament to his intelligence and eagerness to learn.

The online reaction to Aspen’s big day has been overwhelmingly positive. Followers flooded the comments with congratulatory messages, with one fan writing, “Your internet aunties are so proud of you.” Tang says sharing Aspen’s adventures online has allowed her to connect with a community of dog lovers who share in his milestones.

For Tang, the award was more than just recognition—it symbolized Aspen’s journey from rescue to cherished family member. It was a reminder of the joy he brings to her life and the lives of those who meet him. From a once-homeless puppy to a daycare celebrity, Aspen’s story is a celebration of love, second chances, and the bond between a dog and their devoted human.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.