Every dog deserves a caring human who will shower them with love and attention.
Unfortunately, many dogs never experience that warmth, especially those who come from abusive or neglectful environments.
Ziggy was one of those unfortunate pups. Despite having a gentle heart, she never knew what it felt like to be truly cared for by her former owners.
Thankfully, her life took a turn for the better when kindhearted rescuers discovered her abandoned near a vacant home, along with three other dogs.
It’s believed that their previous owners had been evicted and simply left the dogs behind.
Ziggy Arrives At The Shelter
Ziggy was brought to Palm Beach Animal Care and Control in Florida, where she arrived scared and emotionally shut down. Given her traumatic history, the loud and overwhelming shelter environment wasn’t a good fit for her.
She was frightened of everything — even walking on a leash — so the staff carried her everywhere she needed to go.
Her caregivers believed she had likely been used for breeding in the past.
Realizing that Ziggy wouldn’t be able to heal in a shelter setting, the team knew she needed the comfort of a foster home.
They reached out to Jess Katz and her boyfriend, Steve Leone — longtime foster parents for the rescue — to see if they could take her in.
The couple agreed without hesitation and soon arrived at the shelter to bring Ziggy home.
Once there, they gave her space to adjust, allowing her to relax inside a crate.
It quickly became apparent that Ziggy was especially fearful around men.
Over time, Katz and Leone gently encouraged her to venture out and spend time with them. Ziggy clearly wanted to connect, but fear continued to hold her back.
Learning To Trust Again
The couple did everything they could to make Ziggy feel safe and loved.
Because she was too scared to eat on her own, Katz stayed with her during mealtimes, helping her feel more at ease. Slowly, Ziggy began to warm up to her foster mom.
Leone made his own efforts to bond with her. He would lie beside her crate and cuddle her gently, showing her that he meant no harm.
Little by little, Ziggy began to understand that her foster parents truly cared about her and would never cause her pain.
Eventually, she left her crate and began spending time outside with the family’s other dogs — and she absolutely loved playing with them.
Her new furry friends started teaching her what it meant to just be a dog.
Katz noticed that Ziggy didn’t seem familiar with life inside a home. She was puzzled by mirrors and acted like she had never encountered one before.
Finding Her Confidence
Over time, Ziggy began seeking out affection from her foster family.
Katz captured a heartwarming moment on video when Ziggy bravely approached Leone and allowed him to pet her for the first time.
She later shared the touching clip on TikTok, where it received an outpouring of love and support.
“Watch how my foster dog gains confidence to approach my boyfriend when she sees how the other dogs feel safe with him,” Katz wrote in the caption.
The video shows Leone kneeling on the floor, showering their three dogs with affection. They wag their tails happily, clearly enjoying his love.
Ziggy, who had been watching from a distance, slowly stepped forward. It was as if she was quietly asking if she could be included in the affection, too.
Leone gently reached out and petted her, continuing to dote on the other pups as well.
For Ziggy, it was a major milestone. She looked genuinely happy — finally receiving the same love and attention as the rest of the pack.
The moment touched the hearts of TikTok users everywhere, many of whom celebrated Ziggy’s courage and the progress she had made.
Now, she’s thriving in her foster home. She loves following Katz around the house and showering her with affection.
The foster family adores Ziggy, but with three dogs of their own, they plan to continue fostering other pups in need — so they can’t adopt her permanently.
Still, there’s no doubt that Ziggy will soon find a forever family who will treasure her and give her all the love she’s always deserved.