“I promise I’m not mean … “
Published on June 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Anni Cummings adopted her dog, Mojo, back in 2022. While the two of them bonded instantly, she noticed Mojo was a bit fearful of strangers.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7fZPD6PGpA/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fshy-dog-was-scared-of-his-neighbors-so-his-mom-put-up-a-special-sign%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Ddodo%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawNUhHJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJd3M3ajN2SE9JMGYxUT#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2276.4000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A1854.4000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A1864.2000000029802%7D
Cummings isn’t sure what made Mojo develop his social anxiety, but she thinks it was likely something that happened to him before he got to the shelter.
A few years after she adopted Mojo, Cummings and her boyfriend moved to a new house. Soon after they settled in, they started noticing that Mojo would bark at people who walked by their front yard.
They knew Mojo wasn’t barking because he was unfriendly — he was just scared. Cummings racked her brain for a way to make Mojo feel more at ease. Finally, she arrived at the perfect solution: tennis balls.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7507440421224697118?lang=en-GB&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fshy-dog-was-scared-of-his-neighbors-so-his-mom-put-up-a-special-sign
Mojo’s absolute favorite thing to do in the world is play fetch. If he’s playing fetch, all of his anxiety dissipates and he becomes a different dog.
With that in mind, Cummings decided to hang up a bucket of tennis balls on her fence and write a note to accompany it.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7494777004764499230?lang=en-GB&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fshy-dog-was-scared-of-his-neighbors-so-his-mom-put-up-a-special-sign
The note read: “I promise I’m not mean. Just throw the tennis ball and we will be friends!”
Cummings hoped people would actually read the sign and take a chance on Mojo. Sure enough, within 20 minutes, someone picked up the ball — and played with Mojo for a whole hour.
These days, Mojo is a celebrity in his neighborhood. Everyone, including kids, people walking their dogs and even postal workers, can’t get enough of throwing the ball for Mojo.
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7496510863822654750?lang=en-GB&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fshy-dog-was-scared-of-his-neighbors-so-his-mom-put-up-a-special-sign
Mojo is not only beloved by the people in his neighborhood, but he’s also gained an online fan club as well. People all over the world are clamoring to get to throw a ball for Mojo.
“If I passed this on my way to work, I would 100% be late,” a commenter wrote on Cummings’ TikTok.
“Where do you live? I’m booking my flight,” another commenter wrote.
@annicummingsReplying to @Daniel Standard Mojo has his method down😅#flattie#flatcoatedretriever♬ オリジナル楽曲 – queen_greatest_pop
Perhaps parents of other anxious dogs can follow Cummings’ example. Sometimes, all it takes to turn a scared pup into a happy one is a tennis ball.
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Couple Drops Everything After Finding Five Fluffy Siblings ‘Left To Die’ In Parking Lot
“They were so afraid, they just stayed huddled together” 💔
By Ashley Ortiz
It’s not unusual for the folks at The Rabbit Haven to receive calls for help from frazzled strangers — they’ve spent the past 40 years helping needy bunnies around California. But the other day, they got a call from a local couple that was unlike any other.
“We received a call from two astonished Good Samaritans, Ricky and Colette,” The Rabbit Haven wrote on Facebook. “They discovered five baby lops huddled together in a parking lot — clear[ly] abandoned!”
The couple was stunned to find a handful of lop bunnies left to fend for themselves in a busy parking lot. They were heartbroken imagining what the group of siblings had gone through to end up there.
“They were so afraid, they just stayed huddled together,” The Rabbit Haven wrote.
It’s unclear how long the bunnies had been out on their own, but as soon as Ricky and Colette saw them, the couple promised they wouldn’t have to spend another night there. The empathetic couple scooped the bunnies up, took them home and called The Rabbit Haven for support.
The staff at The Rabbit Haven immediately agreed to help, and they eventually welcomed the baby bunnies, later named Robin, Rhona, Reeses, Roy and Reayah, with glee. After mere minutes with the bunnies, the staff became even more upset to think that someone had senselessly abandoned them.
“What a sad situation. How cruel to leave defenseless babies out in the dirt in the hot sun,” The Rabbit Haven wrote. “Looks like they just pulled off the freeway and dumped them.”
It’s impossible to know the true details surrounding the bunnies’ abandonment, but thankfully, they don’t seem to be too affected by their traumatic past. Thanks to The Rabbit Haven’s care, the bunnies are now all thriving, and their personalities are starting to shine through.
“They are all very sweet,” The Rabbit Haven wrote. “They are quickly learning to use the litter box and are so happy to have a constant supply of food and love.”
Since their rescue, the bunnies have been cleared for foster care, and The Rabbit Haven is on the hunt for their perfect transitional families. Until then, the dedicated rescuers will continue showering their miracle bunnies with the affection they likely never received.
“Let’s pull together and get these sweethearts into foster care where they can thrive,” The Rabbit Haven wrote. “Please help them and show [them] the love they deserve.”
To inquire about fostering one or two of these bunnies, you can call Heather from The Rabbit Haven at (831) 239-7119.
To help bunnies like these five lops get the care they need, you can donate to The Rabbit Haven here.
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