Woman was heartbroken to see her foster dog shaking nonstop — so she made a quiet promise to the scared puppy: 'I am never...'
A woman fostering a small shelter puppy recorded a moment she hadn’t expected to witness so soon. She posted the clip on 25 November 2025 on her TikTok account, explaining how the night unfolded and why it stayed with her. When she picked up the puppy, wrapped her in a towel, and held her close, the pup’s tiny body trembled nonstop. The sight was tender but deeply upsetting, especially when the woman whispered a quiet promise meant only for the scared little dog.
As reported by Newsweek, TikTok user @jessfromalabama shared the viral video showing the puppy, later named Marlee, shaking uncontrollably while held like a baby. Jess kept her tucked in a towel robe as she tried to settle her nerves, murmuring, “I am never leaving her,” while comforting the trembling pup. She then looked at the camera and introduced her as their new foster, calling her “very scared and so sweet,” and explaining that the 12-week-old pup would stay with them until a forever home was found. The clip also captured gentle moments of Jess supporting Marlee close to her chest, giving viewers a clear sense of how frightened the puppy was and how carefully Jess responded to that fear.
Fostering plays a major role in helping vulnerable animals, something Four Paws explains in detail. The organization notes that foster homes boost adoption rates, reduce euthanasia, and give animals space to recover away from stressful shelter environments. Fostering also frees up shelter resources, helps shy or injured pets gain confidence, and prepares them for life in a permanent home. Jess later shared that Marlee had been living on the streets, a difficult start that can be even tougher for breeds often judged unfairly. Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that pit bull-type dogs make up a notable share of shelter intakes, representing 12% of all cases in the study. The data also revealed that these dogs face a higher risk of euthanasia compared to many other breeds, often due to breed-based stigma and lower adoption rates. Over time, their intake numbers gradually declined, but outcome disparities remained significant.
Studies also highlight how foster families change outcomes in meaningful ways. A Michigan State University survey of 947 foster volunteers found that adopting a foster pet rarely discourages people from fostering again, and many who experienced “foster fails” felt even more committed afterward. The survey noted that older adults, women, and caregivers with existing pets often formed especially strong bonds with their foster animals. Marlee’s story reflected this connection in real time, as the TikTok video has now earned over 4 million views, with viewers expressing how deeply the moment moved them. @jillybeandogmom shared, "That’s gonna be your soul dog. Don’t let that baby go." @karebear.83 commented, "That shaking just breaks my heart." @natalie.noirrr wrote, "That’s your pup now. Don’t you dare give her back, please." @theloafandcrumb mentioned, "Oh baby, she is so scared, but she is letting you just hold her close."
For more endearing shelter dog content, follow @jessfromalabama on her TikTok account.