Sometimes, our four-legged companions just need a little encouragement to come out of their shell. Let’s face it—not every dog is naturally outgoing, and that’s totally okay!
When South Dakota dog mom Anni Cummings realized that her rescue pup, Mojo, was struggling to settle into his new surroundings, she knew she had to step in.
During those first few days in the neighborhood, Mojo barked at neighbors and passersby out of fear. But instead of letting that continue, Anni came up with a creative solution—and the result was nothing short of heart-melting.
The Magic Of The Friendship Bucket
From the moment Anni brought Mojo home from the shelter, she knew he was going to be something special. He was full of love, loved to play, and quickly became her best companion.
There was just one small challenge: Mojo was a bit shy around strangers. When Anni and her boyfriend moved into a new neighborhood, Mojo struggled to adjust.
Every time someone walked past their yard, Mojo would bark—not out of aggression, but because he was nervous.
Anni didn’t want people to misunderstand his behavior. So, she decided to help Mojo the best way she could—and she had the perfect idea.
Knowing Mojo’s obsession with tennis balls, Anni attached a bucket full of them to their fence, along with a sweet note:
“I promise I’m not mean. Just throw the tennis ball and we will be friends.”
Within just twenty minutes, people began to join in—tossing balls for Mojo and watching him happily chase them.
Soon enough, everyone was getting involved: neighbors, school kids, even the local mail carriers were stopping to play with Mojo and his Golden Retriever sister, Lily.
Anni shared the entire experience in a video on her TikTok account, and it quickly went viral. The wholesome clip captured hearts around the world.
People couldn’t get enough of this simple but thoughtful idea, and the comments poured in:
“If I passed this on my commute. I would 100% be late to work,” one user shared.
“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. I’d be there all day,” another said.
“You need to have a camera out there so we can live stream,” added a third.
Needless to say, Mojo has come a long way. His social anxiety is now a thing of the past, and he’s made more friends than he probably ever imagined.
Mojo’s Living His Best Life
Beyond the tennis ball games, Mojo and Lily are enjoying the good life in South Dakota.
Thanks to their devoted mom, their days are filled with outdoor adventures, long walks, backyard playtime, dog park visits, and the occasional road trip.
From chasing sunsets on the beach to joining in on fishing trips or curling up on the couch for a nap, Mojo is loving every moment.
Once a shy shelter pup, he now has a full life—and a heart (and ball bucket) full of friends.