Believe it or not, Los Angeles has a new rising star, and he’s got four paws, floppy ears, and a face that’ll melt even the coldest heart.
Allow me to introduce Cosmo, the tiny puppy found abandoned in a paper bag, who has become the internet’s latest obsession, thanks to a viral TikTok video that tells his bittersweet beginning.
MJ Gray, who shared the heartwarming story on her TikTok account, @texasgardenfairy, introduced the world to Cosmo, a puppy so young and small that he still drinks from a baby bottle.
From Humble Beginnings
The video, which keeps gaining views to this day, shows a sleepy, spotted pup cradled in Gray’s arms. Though she clearly adores the little guy, she admits she’s not in a place to adopt him permanently.
“I’m going to take care of him, I don’t think that I am ready for another dog, and I don’t think I’m ready for a puppy like this. So I’m going to take care of him. But I would love to find him a good home, someone who will take really, really good care of him, and understands what he’s gone through,” she says in the clip.
Cosmo’s journey began when Gray’s neighbor encountered a woman sitting in her car with the pup in a paper bag, trying to find someone to take him in. The situation wasn’t ideal as language barriers made it hard to understand why Cosmo was separated from his mother so early, but Gray chose to focus on the positive.
“I don’t know why the woman couldn’t care for him, or why he was taken from their mother so young (the vet confirmed Cosmo is approximately just 4 weeks old). In any case, I’m grateful she was looking for someone to take him instead of doing what many people do and discarding him,” she stated in an interview.
Can’t Get Enough
And, the internet? Well, it fell in love.
One TikTok user shared their opinion, stating: “I’m sorry but I would never give up this puppy he’s gone through enough at his young age I would keep him and love him forever.”
Another user chimed in with her expert guess: “Looks like a shih tzu mix. Mine had spots like that as a pup but brown. As he gets older you’ll probably be able to guess the mix.”
And, the heartwarming rescue stories kept rolling in with one commentator sharing: “My rescue puppy was found in Crete in a trash can at 9 days old! I adopted him at 3 months old from Takis Shelter in Crete. Cookie is 6.5 years old now and thriving!!”
As for Cosmo’s future? It’s looking pretty bright. Gray has been flooded with adoption inquiries.
“Cosmo currently has a wait-list of people interested in adopting him, with new people calling every day. He’s too young to be re-homed, but once he’s a bit older, neutered and vaccinated, we will begin the process of vetting applicants!” she said,
One Day At A Time
In the meantime, a local doggy daycare, Posh Pet Care, in West Hollywood, has stepped up to help babysit Cosmo while Gray works because, let’s be real, raising a puppy is a full-time job.
While most experts agree that puppies shouldn’t be adopted until they’re at least eight weeks old so they can eat solid food, socialize properly, and learn basic behavior from their mom, Cosmo is already ahead of the curve in terms of public charm and viral fame.
“I’m so grateful for everyone who reached out and showed their support and their interest in Cosmo and his story. Cosmo’s story is sad and I wish he could’ve stayed with his mother longer and been born into a home that could care for him. However, I’m grateful that this woman tried to find someone who could take him and give him the life that he deserves,” she said.
From a paper bag on a Los Angeles street to a growing fan base and a long list of hopeful adopters, Cosmo may have had a rough start – but his future is already looking pawsitively amazing.